diff --git a/src/ctrls/c_main.py b/src/ctrls/c_main.py
index 8d17e93..9d0c095 100644
--- a/src/ctrls/c_main.py
+++ b/src/ctrls/c_main.py
@@ -648,7 +648,7 @@ class MainController(Controller):
                 return
 
         initial_path = None
-        if self.model.config.recent[0]:
+        if self.model.config.recent and self.model.config.recent[0]:
             initial_path = os.path.dirname(self.model.config.recent[0])
 
         if not path: