diff --git a/library/roles/clamav/tasks/main.yml b/library/roles/clamav/tasks/main.yml
index 9a5dc509..7c94f0b4 100644
--- a/library/roles/clamav/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/library/roles/clamav/tasks/main.yml
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@
   - name: Install the freshclam configuration
     template: src=freshclam.conf.j2 dest=/etc/freshclam.conf  owner=root group=root mode=0400
 
+  - name: Change the /var/lib/clamav permissions so that freshclam can write into it
+    file: dest=/var/lib/clamav state=directory owner=clamscan group=clamupdate mode='u=rwx,g=rwsx,o=rx'
+
   - name: Ensure that the clamd service is running and enabled
     service: name=clamd@scan state=started enabled=yes