diff --git a/haproxy_mcp/db.py b/haproxy_mcp/db.py
index ec7caa5..e0d2a77 100644
--- a/haproxy_mcp/db.py
+++ b/haproxy_mcp/db.py
@@ -63,6 +63,11 @@ def init_db() -> None:
     Creates tables if they don't exist, then checks for existing
     JSON/map files to migrate data from.
     """
+    # Ensure parent directory exists for the database file
+    db_dir = os.path.dirname(DB_FILE)
+    if db_dir:
+        os.makedirs(db_dir, exist_ok=True)
+
     conn = get_connection()
     cur = conn.cursor()
 
diff --git a/k8s/deployment.yaml b/k8s/deployment.yaml
index 0a5a5ec..f0b959a 100644
--- a/k8s/deployment.yaml
+++ b/k8s/deployment.yaml
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ spec:
               value: "/root/.ssh/id_rsa"
             - name: SSH_PORT
               value: "22"
+            - name: HAPROXY_DB_FILE
+              value: "/app/data/haproxy_mcp.db"
             - name: LOG_LEVEL
               value: "INFO"
           volumeMounts: