diff --git a/meshchat.py b/meshchat.py
index d574dda..448c7a3 100644
--- a/meshchat.py
+++ b/meshchat.py
@@ -980,6 +980,10 @@ class ReticulumMeshChat:
         @routes.post("/api/v1/reticulum/enable-transport")
         async def index(request):
 
+            # ensure reticulum section exists
+            if "reticulum" not in self.reticulum.config:
+                self.reticulum.config["reticulum"] = {}
+
             # enable transport mode
             self.reticulum.config["reticulum"]["enable_transport"] = True
             self.reticulum.config.write()
@@ -992,6 +996,10 @@ class ReticulumMeshChat:
         @routes.post("/api/v1/reticulum/disable-transport")
         async def index(request):
 
+            # ensure reticulum section exists
+            if "reticulum" not in self.reticulum.config:
+                self.reticulum.config["reticulum"] = {}
+
             # disable transport mode
             self.reticulum.config["reticulum"]["enable_transport"] = False
             self.reticulum.config.write()