diff --git a/deluge/ui/web/json_api.py b/deluge/ui/web/json_api.py
index f2e6f5661..8730b23b7 100644
--- a/deluge/ui/web/json_api.py
+++ b/deluge/ui/web/json_api.py
@@ -428,6 +428,8 @@ class WebApi(JSONComponent):
     def __init__(self):
         super(WebApi, self).__init__("Web", depend=["SessionProxy"])
         self.host_list = ConfigManager("hostlist.conf.1.2", DEFAULT_HOSTS)
+        if not os.path.isfile(self.host_list.config_file):
+            self.host_list.save()
         self.core_config = CoreConfig()
         self.event_queue = EventQueue()
         try: