diff --git a/.azure/gpu-pipeline.yml b/.azure/gpu-pipeline.yml
index 2caafb2bab7..c9ce754cc27 100644
--- a/.azure/gpu-pipeline.yml
+++ b/.azure/gpu-pipeline.yml
@@ -105,7 +105,8 @@ jobs:
     - bash: |
         printf "cache location: $(HF_CACHE_DIR)\n"
         printf "hit the HF cache: $(variables.HF_CACHE_RESTORED)\n"
-        ls -lh $(HF_CACHE_DIR)
+        mkdir -p $(HF_CACHE_DIR)  # in case cache was void
+        ls -lh $(HF_CACHE_DIR)  # show what was restored...
       displayName: 'Show HF cache'
 
     - bash: python -m pytest torchmetrics --cov=torchmetrics --timeout=120 --durations=50