diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index df0eadf..4732e30 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -111,6 +111,12 @@ def load_cache():
             logger.info(f"Loaded cache with {len(KNOWN_EXTERNAL_USERS)} users")
         except:
             KNOWN_EXTERNAL_USERS = {}
+    else:
+        # 🔥 neu: Datei initial anlegen
+        os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(CACHE_FILE), exist_ok=True)
+        with open(CACHE_FILE, "w") as f:
+            json.dump({}, f)
+        logger.info("Initialized empty cache file")
 
 def save_cache():
     global CACHE_DIRTY