diff --git a/.config/qtile/config.py b/.config/qtile/config.py
index 290d120..83329e5 100644
--- a/.config/qtile/config.py
+++ b/.config/qtile/config.py
@@ -165,7 +165,10 @@ keys = [
 
 pape_dir = '/home/joe/Pictures/Wallpapers/'
 papes = [os.path.join(pape_dir, p) for p in os.listdir(pape_dir)]
-pape = random.choice(papes)
+if papes:
+    pape = random.choice(papes)
+else:
+    pape = "/usr/share/backgrounds/default.png"
 
 def get_num_monitors():
     number_of_monitors = 0