diff --git a/gcloud/tf/scripts/k3s-vm-startup.sh b/gcloud/tf/scripts/k3s-vm-startup.sh
index 6e2fcf9..48c5d29 100644
--- a/gcloud/tf/scripts/k3s-vm-startup.sh
+++ b/gcloud/tf/scripts/k3s-vm-startup.sh
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ fi
 
 # load .env file
 source /opt/src/infctl-cli/.env
+cd $INFCTL_INSTALL_DIR/infctl-cli || "echo 'Failed to change directory to $INFCTL_INSTALL_DIR/infctl-cli' ; exit 1"
 
 # check to see if INSTALL_FORGEJO is set to "true"
 if [[ "$INSTALL_FORGEJO" == "true" ]]; then