diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index c4df99e..beb226d 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -29,6 +29,17 @@ fi
 mkdir -p "$UNIT_DIR"
 echo "Installing systemd units to $UNIT_DIR ..."
 
+# ── Pre-create data directories for all cameras ───────────────────────────────
+echo "Creating data directories..."
+for cam in "${CAMERAS[@]}"; do
+    mkdir -p "$BASE_DIR/$cam"
+    mkdir -p "$MOVIES_DIR/$cam"
+    echo "  $BASE_DIR/$cam"
+    echo "  $MOVIES_DIR/$cam"
+done
+mkdir -p "$BASE_DIR/$SUNRISE_CAM"
+echo ""
+
 # ── Helper: write a oneshot service unit ─────────────────────────────────────
 write_service() {
     local unit="$1" description="$2" script="$3" extra="${4:-}"