diff --git a/common.py b/common.py
index 16a1e34..8d5a055 100644
--- a/common.py
+++ b/common.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ if '__main__' == __name__:
 	print('''this is a library file, which is not meant to be executed''')
 	exit(-1)
 
-import sys, time, pickle
+import sys, time, pickle, os
 from local_config import conf
 
 RATE_GLOBAL = 0x01
@@ -36,9 +36,13 @@ def conf_save(obj):
 		return pickle.dump(obj, fd)
 
 def conf_load():
-	with open(conf('persistent_storage'), 'rb') as fd:
-		fd.seek(0)
-		return pickle.load(fd)
+	path = conf('persistent_storage')
+	if os.path.isfile(path):
+		with open(path, 'rb') as fd:
+			fd.seek(0)
+			return pickle.load(fd)
+	else:
+		return {}
 
 def get_version_git():
 	import subprocess
diff --git a/plugins.py b/plugins.py
index 7483895..68a01ce 100644
--- a/plugins.py
+++ b/plugins.py
@@ -440,13 +440,14 @@ def command_usersetting(argv, **args):
 
 	set_conf('persistent_locked', True)
 	blob = conf_load()
+	
+	if 'user_pref' not in blob:
+		blob['user_pref'] = {}
 
 	if not arg_user in blob['user_pref']:
 		blob['user_pref'][arg_user] = {}
 
-	blob['user_pref'][arg_user][arg_key] = (
-		True if 'on' == arg_val else False
-	)
+	blob['user_pref'][arg_user][arg_key] = 'on' == arg_val
 
 	conf_save(blob)
 	set_conf('persistent_locked', False)
diff --git a/urlbot.py b/urlbot.py
index 21b7f7d..f3eeb00 100755
--- a/urlbot.py
+++ b/urlbot.py
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ def handle_msg(msg_obj):
 		return
 
 	arg_user = msg_obj['mucnick']
-	blob_userpref = conf_load()['user_pref']
+	blob_userpref = conf_load().get('user_pref',[])
 	nospoiler = False
 
 	if arg_user in blob_userpref: