diff --git a/start.sh b/start.sh
index 1a333a4..0b130f4 100755
--- a/start.sh
+++ b/start.sh
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ set -eu
 
 mkdir -p /app/data/storage
 
+# do not rely on WORKDIR
+cd /app/code/server
+
 first_time_setup() {
     sleep 10