diff --git a/cloudinit/util.py b/cloudinit/util.py
index 8025f4d51c4..e2f04a40209 100644
--- a/cloudinit/util.py
+++ b/cloudinit/util.py
@@ -1884,7 +1884,11 @@ def ensure_dir(path, mode=None, user=None, group=None):
         # Get non existed parent dir first before they are created.
         non_existed_parent_dir = get_non_exist_parent_dir(path)
         # Make the dir and adjust the mode
-        with SeLinuxGuard(os.path.dirname(path), recursive=True):
+        dir_name = os.path.dirname(path)
+        selinux_recursive = True
+        if dir_name == "/":
+            selinux_recursive = False
+        with SeLinuxGuard(dir_name, recursive=selinux_recursive):
             os.makedirs(path)
         chmod(path, mode)
         # Change the ownership