diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/util/Anniversary.java b/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/util/Anniversary.java
index ea05b4ece..75c5e79fc 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/util/Anniversary.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/util/Anniversary.java
@@ -81,6 +81,10 @@ public final class Anniversary {
             GregorianCalendar anniversaryEnd = new GregorianCalendar(2013, Calendar.FEBRUARY, 6);
             GregorianCalendar day = new GregorianCalendar();
 
+            if (hasCelebrated == null) {
+                createAnniversaryFile();
+            }
+
             if (hasCelebrated.contains(sender.getName())) {
                 return;
             }