diff --git a/tools/samtools/bam_to_sam.py b/tools/samtools/bam_to_sam.py
index 310d4b70a6e..17fb8688ef7 100644
--- a/tools/samtools/bam_to_sam.py
+++ b/tools/samtools/bam_to_sam.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def __main__():
     except:
         sys.stdout.write( 'Could not determine Samtools version\n' )
 
-    tmp_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp()
+    tmp_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp( dir='.' )
 
     try:
         # exit if input file empty