diff --git a/src/libcmd/repl.cc b/src/libcmd/repl.cc
index 150bd42ac..61c05050f 100644
--- a/src/libcmd/repl.cc
+++ b/src/libcmd/repl.cc
@@ -242,7 +242,11 @@ void NixRepl::mainLoop()
 
     // Allow nix-repl specific settings in .inputrc
     rl_readline_name = "nix-repl";
-    createDirs(dirOf(historyFile));
+    try {
+        createDirs(dirOf(historyFile));
+    } catch (SysError & e) {
+        logWarning(e.info());
+    }
 #ifndef READLINE
     el_hist_size = 1000;
 #endif