diff --git a/dartwrf/create_obsseq.py b/dartwrf/create_obsseq.py
index 3a44241d295fb54dbba369b5ad79633eb116f56c..c0a8a130bf675adc1a0cb14c4a8316b9256f2659 100755
--- a/dartwrf/create_obsseq.py
+++ b/dartwrf/create_obsseq.py
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ def create_obs_seq_in(time_dt, list_obscfg,
             - error_assimilate (np.array or False) : False -> parameterized
             - cov_loc_radius_km (float)
     """
-    os.makedirs(cluster.dartrundir, exist_ok=True)
+    os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(output_path), exist_ok=True)
 
     print('creating obs_seq.in:')
     time_dt = add_timezone_UTC(time_dt)