diff --git a/palps.rkt b/palps.rkt
index 476aba9..b061eb7 100755
--- a/palps.rkt
+++ b/palps.rkt
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 #! /usr/bin/env /usr/local/bin/racket
 #lang racket
 
+;; default directory used for storing dynamic application data
+(define data-dir
+  (build-path (find-system-path 'home-dir)
+              (build-path ".local" "share" "palps")))
+
 (define (call-valid? call)
   (and
    (<= (string-length call) 9)