diff --git a/p2pool/bitcoin/helper.py b/p2pool/bitcoin/helper.py
index 0e8bce257..e4ae84243 100644
--- a/p2pool/bitcoin/helper.py
+++ b/p2pool/bitcoin/helper.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def check(bitcoind, net):
         raise deferral.RetrySilentlyException()
     
     try:
-        softforks_supported = set(item['id'] for item in (yield bitcoind.rpc_getblockchaininfo())['softforks'])
+        softforks_supported = set(item['id'] for item in (yield bitcoind.rpc_getblockchaininfo()).get('softforks', []))
     except jsonrpc.Error_for_code(-32601): # Method not found
         softforks_supported = set()
     if getattr(net, 'SOFTFORKS_REQUIRED', set()) - softforks_supported: