diff --git a/gnu/services/ssh.scm b/gnu/services/ssh.scm
index ec0150b3a2..c111437b1a 100644
--- a/gnu/services/ssh.scm
+++ b/gnu/services/ssh.scm
@@ -715,9 +715,12 @@ object."
         (use-modules (guix build utils))
         (define %user
           (getpw #$(autossh-configuration-user config)))
-        (let ((directory #$(autossh-file-name config "")))
+        (let* ((directory #$(autossh-file-name config ""))
+               (log (string-append directory "/log")))
           (mkdir-p directory)
-          (chown directory (passwd:uid %user) (passwd:gid %user))))))
+          (chown directory (passwd:uid %user) (passwd:gid %user))
+          (call-with-output-file log (const #t))
+          (chown log (passwd:uid %user) (passwd:gid %user))))))
 
 (define autossh-service-type
   (service-type