diff --git a/monoloco/predict.py b/monoloco/predict.py
index e157027..66eabcf 100644
--- a/monoloco/predict.py
+++ b/monoloco/predict.py
@@ -53,13 +53,15 @@ def get_torch_checkpoints_dir():
 
 def download_checkpoints(args):
     torch_dir = get_torch_checkpoints_dir()
+    os.makedirs(torch_dir, exist_ok=True)
     if args.checkpoint is None:
+        os.makedirs(torch_dir, exist_ok=True)
         pifpaf_model = os.path.join(torch_dir, 'shufflenetv2k30-201104-224654-cocokp-d75ed641.pkl')
     else:
         pifpaf_model = args.checkpoint
     dic_models = {'keypoints': pifpaf_model}
     if not os.path.exists(pifpaf_model):
-        assert DOWNLOAD is not None, "pip install gdown to download pifpaf model, or pass it as --checkpoint"
+        assert DOWNLOAD is not None, "install gdown to download pifpaf model, or pass it as --checkpoint"
         LOG.info('Downloading OpenPifPaf model in %s', torch_dir)
         DOWNLOAD(OPENPIFPAF_MODEL, pifpaf_model, quiet=False)
 
@@ -83,6 +85,7 @@ def download_checkpoints(args):
     model = os.path.join(torch_dir, name)
     dic_models[args.mode] = model
     if not os.path.exists(model):
+        os.makedirs(torch_dir, exist_ok=True)
         assert DOWNLOAD is not None, "pip install gdown to download monoloco model, or pass it as --model"
         LOG.info('Downloading model in %s', torch_dir)
         DOWNLOAD(path, model, quiet=False)