diff --git a/cli/catalogue/catalogue.go b/cli/catalogue/catalogue.go
index 1d3c8ea6..b1bd1e5c 100644
--- a/cli/catalogue/catalogue.go
+++ b/cli/catalogue/catalogue.go
@@ -47,12 +47,14 @@ keys configured on your account.`,
 			recipeName = args[0]
 		}
 
-		r := recipe.Get(recipeName)
-
 		if recipeName != "" {
 			internal.ValidateRecipe(args, cmd.Name())
 		}
 
+		if err := catalogue.EnsureCatalogue(); err != nil {
+			log.Fatal(err)
+		}
+
 		if !internal.Chaos {
 			if err := catalogue.EnsureIsClean(); err != nil {
 				log.Fatal(err)
@@ -89,6 +91,14 @@ keys configured on your account.`,
 				continue
 			}
 
+			// NOTE(d1): the "example" recipe is a temporary special case
+			// https://git.coopcloud.tech/toolshed/organising/issues/666
+			if recipeMeta.Name == "example" {
+				catlBar.Add(1)
+				continue
+			}
+
+			r := recipe.Get(recipeMeta.Name)
 			versions, err := r.GetRecipeVersions()
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Warn(err)