diff --git a/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/smart_scan.py b/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/smart_scan.py
index 898fbebd..f3331e0d 100644
--- a/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/smart_scan.py
+++ b/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/smart_scan.py
@@ -650,6 +650,8 @@ class SmartScanThing(Thing):
         in the `images` folder.
         """
         scans: list[ScanInfo] = []
+        if not os.path.isdir(self.scans_folder_path):
+            return scans
         for f in os.listdir(self.scans_folder_path):
             path = os.path.join(self.scans_folder_path, f)
             if os.path.isdir(path):