diff --git a/.config/tmux/tmux.conf b/.config/tmux/tmux.conf
index 87ff9d2..8a3f724 100644
--- a/.config/tmux/tmux.conf
+++ b/.config/tmux/tmux.conf
@@ -33,4 +33,7 @@ bind-key -T copy-mode-vi y send-keys -X copy-selection-and-cancel
 bind '"' split-window -v -c "#{pane_current_path}"
 bind % split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}"
 
+# if run as "tmux attach", create a session if one does not already exist
+new-session -n $HOST
+
 run '~/.tmux/plugins/tpm/tpm'