diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 8132c1281e412..360b47d05ff8f 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ Inspired from [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/)
 ### Fixed
 - `opensearch-service.bat start` and `opensearch-service.bat manager` failing to run ([#4289](https://github.com/opensearch-project/OpenSearch/pull/4289))
 - PR reference to checkout code for changelog verifier ([#4296](https://github.com/opensearch-project/OpenSearch/pull/4296))
+- `opensearch.bat` and `opensearch-service.bat install` failing to run, missing logs directory ([#4305](https://github.com/opensearch-project/OpenSearch/pull/4305))
 - Restore using the class ClusterInfoRequest and ClusterInfoRequestBuilder from package 'org.opensearch.action.support.master.info' for subclasses ([#4307](https://github.com/opensearch-project/OpenSearch/pull/4307))
 - Do not fail replica shard due to primary closure ([#4133](https://github.com/opensearch-project/OpenSearch/pull/4133))
 
diff --git a/distribution/src/bin/opensearch-service.bat b/distribution/src/bin/opensearch-service.bat
index 8b91d806ef64f..a11dc8316e8b1 100644
--- a/distribution/src/bin/opensearch-service.bat
+++ b/distribution/src/bin/opensearch-service.bat
@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@ exit /B 1
 set OPENSEARCH_VERSION=${project.version}
 
 if "%SERVICE_LOG_DIR%" == "" set SERVICE_LOG_DIR=%OPENSEARCH_HOME%\logs
+rem The logs directory must exist for the service to start.
+if not exist "%SERVICE_LOG_DIR%" (
+	mkdir "%SERVICE_LOG_DIR%"
+)
 
 if "x%1x" == "xx" goto displayUsage
 set SERVICE_CMD=%1
diff --git a/distribution/src/bin/opensearch.bat b/distribution/src/bin/opensearch.bat
index 49a12aa5c968d..dda15124e1654 100644
--- a/distribution/src/bin/opensearch.bat
+++ b/distribution/src/bin/opensearch.bat
@@ -56,6 +56,12 @@ IF ERRORLEVEL 1 (
 	EXIT /B %ERRORLEVEL%
 )
 
+if "%SERVICE_LOG_DIR%" == "" set SERVICE_LOG_DIR=%OPENSEARCH_HOME%\logs
+rem The logs directory must exist for the service to start.
+if not exist "%SERVICE_LOG_DIR%" (
+	mkdir "%SERVICE_LOG_DIR%"
+)
+
 SET KEYSTORE_PASSWORD=
 IF "%checkpassword%"=="Y" (
   CALL "%~dp0opensearch-keystore.bat" has-passwd --silent