diff --git a/network/qubes_netwatcher b/network/qubes_netwatcher
index f250cc1..afd7cda 100755
--- a/network/qubes_netwatcher
+++ b/network/qubes_netwatcher
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ trap 'exit 0' SIGTERM
 while true; do
 	NET_DOMID=$(/usr/bin/xenstore-read qubes_netvm_domid)
 	if [[ -n "$NET_DOMID" ]] && [[ $NET_DOMID -gt 0 ]]; then
-		UNTRUSTED_NETCFG=$(/usr/bin/xenstore-read /local/domain/$NET_DOMID/qubes_netvm_external_ip)
+		UNTRUSTED_NETCFG=$(/usr/bin/xenstore-read /local/domain/$NET_DOMID/qubes_netvm_external_ip || :)
 		# UNTRUSTED_NETCFG is not parsed in any way
 		# thus, no sanitization ready
 		# but be careful when passing it to other shell scripts