diff --git a/backup.sh b/backup.sh
index 4ab31f4..3988909 100755
--- a/backup.sh
+++ b/backup.sh
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ if ! grep -q "${SSH_ALIAS}" /root/.ssh/config ; then
   echo "  User ${SSH_USER}"       >> /root/.ssh/config
 fi
 
+touch /root/.ssh/known_hosts
+
 if ! ssh-keygen -F "[${SSH_SERVER}]:${SSH_PORT}"; then
   echo "${SSH_KNOWN_HOSTS}" >> /root/.ssh/known_hosts
 fi