diff --git a/bin/init_model.py b/bin/init_model.py
index 2d3c62368..414e2b05c 100644
--- a/bin/init_model.py
+++ b/bin/init_model.py
@@ -89,6 +89,9 @@ def _read_probs(loc):
 
 
 def _read_freqs(loc):
+    if not loc.exists():
+        print("Warning: Frequencies file not found")
+        return None
     counts = PreshCounter()
     total = 0
     for line in loc.open():