diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 06f2827..40cb67d 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -16,23 +16,40 @@ const STATUS_FILE: &str = "status.json";
 
 #[tokio::main]
 async fn main() {
-    // initialize tracing
-    // tracing_subscriber::fmt::init();
-
-    // build our application with a route
     let app = Router::new()
         .route("/status.json", get(root))
         .route("/api/update.php", post(the_doors));
 
-    // run our app with hyper, listening globally on port 3000
     let listener = tokio::net::TcpListener::bind("0.0.0.0:3000").await.unwrap();
     axum::serve(listener, app).await.unwrap();
 }
 
-// Just output the current file. It may cease to exist.
+// Initialize empty status.
+fn init_status() -> Status {
+    let new_doors = status::TheDoors {
+        aerie: false,
+        cellar: false,
+    };
+    let (sensors, state) = status::update(new_doors);
+    status::status(sensors, state)
+}
+
+// Write status to file and return JSON string.
+fn write_status(s: Status) -> String {
+    let s = serde_json::to_string(&s).unwrap();
+    let mut file = File::create(STATUS_FILE).unwrap();
+    file.write_all(s.as_bytes()).unwrap();
+    s
+}
+
+// Just output the current file. We assume it to be consistent.
+// It may cease to or not yet exist. Then create an initial status and persist.
 async fn root() -> String {
-    // TODO: handle error
-    std::fs::read_to_string(STATUS_FILE).unwrap_or(String::from("KAPOTT"))
+    if std::path::Path::new(STATUS_FILE).exists() {
+        return std::fs::read_to_string(STATUS_FILE).unwrap_or(String::from("KAPOTT"));
+    }
+    let s = init_status();
+    write_status(s)
 }
 
 // Input type for the API: Both fields are optional.
@@ -45,9 +62,12 @@ struct TheDoors {
 // The door can see through your soul.
 // https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDQDp00oTP4
 async fn the_doors(Json(payload): Json<TheDoors>) -> StatusCode {
-    // TODO: handle error
-    let contents = std::fs::read_to_string(STATUS_FILE).expect("FCKAFD");
-    let status: Status = serde_json::from_str(&contents).unwrap();
+    let status: Status = if std::path::Path::new(STATUS_FILE).exists() {
+        let contents = std::fs::read_to_string(STATUS_FILE).expect("FCKAFD");
+        serde_json::from_str(&contents).unwrap_or_else(|_| init_status())
+    } else {
+        init_status()
+    };
 
     if let Some(sens) = status.sensors {
         // Get the current status as read from the file.
diff --git a/status.json b/status.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 421ce85..0000000
--- a/status.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-{"api_compatibility":["14"],"space":"Chaospott","logo":"https://chaospott.de/images/logo.png","url":"https://chaospott.de","location":{"address":"Sibyllastr. 9, 45136 Essen, Germany","lat":51.438476,"lon":7.024991},"contact":{"phone":"+49 201 85892243","irc":"irc://irc.hackint.org/#chaospott","email":"info@chaospott.de","ml":"discuss@lists.chaospott.de","issue_mail":"support@chaospott.de","mumble":"mumble://mumble.chaospott.de","matrix":"#chaospott:matrix.chaospott.de","mastodon":"https://chaos.social/@chaospott"},"state":{"open":false},"sensors":{"door_locked":[{"location":"aerie","value":false},{"location":"cellar","value":false}]}}
\ No newline at end of file