diff --git a/one_click.py b/one_click.py
index cb16b813..482a6aa9 100644
--- a/one_click.py
+++ b/one_click.py
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ def check_env():
         sys.exit(1)
 
     # Ensure this is a new environment and not the base environment
-    if os.environ["CONDA_DEFAULT_ENV"] == "base":
+    if os.environ.get("CONDA_DEFAULT_ENV", "") == "base":
         print("Create an environment for this project and activate it. Exiting...")
         sys.exit(1)