diff --git a/pcslive.py b/pcslive.py
index 3dc5fdf..f36ae73 100644
--- a/pcslive.py
+++ b/pcslive.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import requests, time
 # class for storing the live races
 class LiveStats:
     def __init__(self):
+        self.races = []
         self.refresh_races()
 
     # scrapes from the PCS homepage where the little green live stats boxes are
@@ -18,21 +19,23 @@ class LiveStats:
         # races are currently live
         live = soup.find(attrs={"class":"hp3-livestats"})
 
-        # also get rid of the horrible polygon number stuff !!! YUCK
-        # i imagine its how the profiles are drawn. there is A LOT
-        # and it makes reading the raw html very PAINFUL
-        for tag in live.find_all(attrs={"class":"inverse"}):
-            tag.decompose()
+        # if there are even any races:
+        if live:
+            # also get rid of the horrible polygon number stuff !!! YUCK
+            # i imagine its how the profiles are drawn. there is A LOT
+            # and it makes reading the raw html very PAINFUL
+            for tag in live.find_all(attrs={"class":"inverse"}):
+                tag.decompose()
 
-        # conveniently, every race is a list item (<li>)
-        # inside is the title, status (live/finished), km to go, 
-        # and brief situation text, but we parse that inside Race
-        races = live.find_all("li")
-        self.races = []
-        for raw_race in races:
-            # for now just create the Race object and add it to our list
-            race = Race(raw_race)
-            self.races.append(race)
+            # conveniently, every race is a list item (<li>)
+            # inside is the title, status (live/finished), km to go, 
+            # and brief situation text, but we parse that inside Race
+            races = live.find_all("li")
+            self.races = []
+            for raw_race in races:
+                # for now just create the Race object and add it to our list
+                race = Race(raw_race)
+                self.races.append(race)
 
     # straightforward
     def print_races(self):