diff --git a/uffd/__init__.py b/uffd/__init__.py
index 05ace003ef3fd8d7fffc2baf134aa264b4e616ac..3a7472c212574fcd463c29647c2c531ee7a07fce 100644
--- a/uffd/__init__.py
+++ b/uffd/__init__.py
@@ -61,11 +61,7 @@ def create_app(test_config=None): # pylint: disable=too-many-locals
 	register_template_helper(app)
 	setup_navbar(app)
 
-	# ensure the instance folder exists
-	try:
-		os.makedirs(app.instance_path)
-	except OSError:
-		pass
+	os.makedirs(app.instance_path, exist_ok=True)
 
 	db.init_app(app)
 	Migrate(app, db, render_as_batch=True)