diff --git a/jenkins-dendron-postgres.sh b/jenkins-dendron-postgres.sh
index 8e3a4c51a9..d15836e6bf 100755
--- a/jenkins-dendron-postgres.sh
+++ b/jenkins-dendron-postgres.sh
@@ -73,11 +73,12 @@ git checkout "${GIT_BRANCH}" || (echo >&2 "No ref ${GIT_BRANCH} found, falling b
 
 ./jenkins/prep_sytest_for_postgres.sh
 
+mkdir -p var
+
 echo >&2 "Running sytest with PostgreSQL";
 ./jenkins/install_and_run.sh --python $TOX_BIN/python \
                              --synapse-directory $WORKSPACE \
                              --dendron $WORKSPACE/dendron/bin/dendron \
-                             --synchrotron \
                              --pusher \
                              --port-base $PORT_BASE