diff --git a/backupbot.py b/backupbot.py
index 4474419..31c034c 100755
--- a/backupbot.py
+++ b/backupbot.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ def cli(loglevel, service, repository, machine_logs):
 
 
 def init_repo():
-    if repo:= os.environ['RESTIC_REPOSITORY_FILE']:
+    if repo:= os.environ.get('RESTIC_REPOSITORY_FILE'):
         # RESTIC_REPOSITORY_FILE and RESTIC_REPOSITORY are mutually exclusive
         del os.environ['RESTIC_REPOSITORY']
     else: