diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 4d4500e..2ed8152 100755
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -64,7 +64,10 @@ try:
 
     # Retrieve last database update timestamp
     luh = open(glob.conf['default']['outdir'] + '/lastupdate.txt', 'r')
-    lu = int(float(luh.read()))
+    try:
+        lu = int(float(luh.read()))
+    except ValueError:
+        lu = 0
     luh.close()
     logging.info("last database update timestamp is %d" % lu)
 
@@ -103,7 +106,6 @@ try:
 
     # Get a Python-friendly library struct from XML file
     library = tcparser.getLibrary(cachefile, lu)
-    # TODO: properly handle missing file errors or things like this
 
     ### Get filters to search for books ###
     try: