diff --git a/tool/teleport/common/teleport.go b/tool/teleport/common/teleport.go
index bbaefc7702f45..f64242afbe348 100644
--- a/tool/teleport/common/teleport.go
+++ b/tool/teleport/common/teleport.go
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ func Run(options Options) (app *kingpin.Application, executedCommand string, con
 	dump.Flag("public-addr", "The hostport that the proxy advertises for the HTTP endpoint.").StringVar(&dumpFlags.PublicAddr)
 	dump.Flag("cert-file", "Path to a TLS certificate file for the proxy.").ExistingFileVar(&dumpFlags.CertFile)
 	dump.Flag("key-file", "Path to a TLS key file for the proxy.").ExistingFileVar(&dumpFlags.KeyFile)
-	dump.Flag("data-dir", "Path to a directory where Teleport keep its data.").Default(defaults.DataDir).ExistingDirVar(&dumpFlags.DataDir)
+	dump.Flag("data-dir", "Path to a directory where Teleport keep its data.").Default(defaults.DataDir).StringVar(&dumpFlags.DataDir)
 	dump.Flag("token", "Invitation token to register with an auth server.").StringVar(&dumpFlags.AuthToken)
 	dump.Flag("roles", "Comma-separated list of roles to create config with.").StringVar(&dumpFlags.Roles)
 	dump.Flag("auth-server", "Address of the auth server.").StringVar(&dumpFlags.AuthServer)