diff --git a/docker/heka/Dockerfile.j2 b/docker/heka/Dockerfile.j2
index bc8db7d4e9..4714dd2bd6 100644
--- a/docker/heka/Dockerfile.j2
+++ b/docker/heka/Dockerfile.j2
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ MAINTAINER {{ maintainer }}
 
 RUN yum -y install https://github.com/mozilla-services/heka/releases/download/v0.10.0/heka-0_10_0-linux-amd64.rpm \
     && yum clean all \
-    && useradd --user-group heka
+    && useradd --user-group heka \
+    && mkdir /etc/heka
 
 {% elif base_distro in ['ubuntu'] %}
 
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ COPY extend_start.sh /usr/local/bin/kolla_extend_start
 RUN usermod -a -G kolla heka \
     && chmod 440 /etc/sudoers.d/heka_sudoers \
     && chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/kolla_extend_start \
-    && chown -R heka: /usr/share/heka
+    && chown -R heka: /usr/share/heka /etc/heka
 
 {{ include_footer }}