diff --git a/17-futures/countries/flags.py b/17-futures/countries/flags.py
index 7731bc4..d9f5f94 100644
--- a/17-futures/countries/flags.py
+++ b/17-futures/countries/flags.py
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
 
 
 def save_flag(img, filename):  # <5>
+    if not os.path.exists(DEST_DIR):
+        os.makedirs(DEST_DIR)
     path = os.path.join(DEST_DIR, filename)
     with open(path, 'wb') as fp:
         fp.write(img)
diff --git a/17-futures/countries/flags2_common.py b/17-futures/countries/flags2_common.py
index bfa40fb..9586795 100644
--- a/17-futures/countries/flags2_common.py
+++ b/17-futures/countries/flags2_common.py
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@
 
 
 def save_flag(img, filename):
+    if not os.path.exists(DEST_DIR):
+        os.makedirs(DEST_DIR)
     path = os.path.join(DEST_DIR, filename)
     with open(path, 'wb') as fp:
         fp.write(img)