diff --git a/ebook/__init__.py b/ebook/__init__.py
index dbb125b..dddaaa1 100644
--- a/ebook/__init__.py
+++ b/ebook/__init__.py
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ def generate_epub(story, cover_options={}, output_filename=None):
     # The cover is static, and the only change comes from the image which we generate
     html = [('Cover', 'cover.html', cover_template)]
 
-    if cover_options["cover_url"]:
+    if cover_options and cover_options["cover_url"]:
         image = make_cover_from_url(cover_options["cover_url"], story.title, story.author)
     elif story.cover_url:
         image = make_cover_from_url(story.cover_url, story.title, story.author)
diff --git a/leech.py b/leech.py
index d906613..e4314eb 100755
--- a/leech.py
+++ b/leech.py
@@ -56,11 +56,12 @@ def load_on_disk_options(site):
             store = json.load(store_file)
             login = store.get('logins', {}).get(site.__name__, False)
             configured_site_options = store.get('site_options', {}).get(site.__name__, {})
-            cover_options = store.get('cover')
+            cover_options = store.get('cover', {})
     except FileNotFoundError:
         logger.info("Unable to locate leech.json. Continuing assuming it does not exist.")
         login = False
         configured_site_options = {}
+        cover_options = {}
     return configured_site_options, login, cover_options