diff --git a/hbase-server/src/main/java/org/apache/hadoop/hbase/zookeeper/ZooKeeperWatcher.java b/hbase-server/src/main/java/org/apache/hadoop/hbase/zookeeper/ZooKeeperWatcher.java
index 128a0d9f79c..4adda831e56 100644
--- a/hbase-server/src/main/java/org/apache/hadoop/hbase/zookeeper/ZooKeeperWatcher.java
+++ b/hbase-server/src/main/java/org/apache/hadoop/hbase/zookeeper/ZooKeeperWatcher.java
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ public class ZooKeeperWatcher implements Watcher, Abortable, Closeable {
   private void createBaseZNodes() throws ZooKeeperConnectionException {
     try {
       // Create all the necessary "directories" of znodes
-      ZKUtil.createAndFailSilent(this, baseZNode);
+      ZKUtil.createWithParents(this, baseZNode);
       ZKUtil.createAndFailSilent(this, assignmentZNode);
       ZKUtil.createAndFailSilent(this, rsZNode);
       ZKUtil.createAndFailSilent(this, drainingZNode);