diff --git a/apps/files_external/tests/env/start-sftp-atmoz.sh b/apps/files_external/tests/env/start-sftp-atmoz.sh
index 7fb379839b..f77c7a3fdd 100755
--- a/apps/files_external/tests/env/start-sftp-atmoz.sh
+++ b/apps/files_external/tests/env/start-sftp-atmoz.sh
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ return array(
     'host'=>'$host',
     'user'=>'$user',
     'password'=>'$password',
-    'root'=>'',
+    'root'=>'upload',
 );
 
 DELIM
@@ -63,3 +63,6 @@ fi
 echo "Waiting 5 seconds for sftp initialization ... "
 sleep 5
 
+# create folder "upload" with correct permissions
+docker exec $container bash -c "mkdir /home/$user/upload && chown $user:users /home/$user/upload"
+