diff --git a/home/scripts/lxc/lab-create.sh b/home/scripts/lxc/lab-create.sh
index 336b377..73fd99e 100644
--- a/home/scripts/lxc/lab-create.sh
+++ b/home/scripts/lxc/lab-create.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ CONTAINER="lxc-${USER}"
 
 # pick next available IP
 LAST=$(grep -rh 'lxc.net.0.ipv4.address' /var/lib/lxc/*/config 2>/dev/null \
-  | grep -oP '10\.100\.0\.\K\d+' | sort -n | tail -1)
+  | grep -oP '10\.100\.0\.\K\d+' | sort -n | tail -1 || true)
+
 NEXT_OCTET=$(( ${LAST:-9} + 1 ))
 CONTAINER_IP="10.100.0.${NEXT_OCTET}"