diff --git a/pcweb/github.py b/pcweb/github.py
index 6e3d8e8ada..8514843c4c 100644
--- a/pcweb/github.py
+++ b/pcweb/github.py
@@ -11,8 +11,10 @@
 
 def get_stars_on_build():
     """Fetch the stars when app is built as default"""
-    data = httpx.get(GITHUB_API_URL).json()
-    return int(data["stargazers_count"])
+    resp = httpx.get(GITHUB_API_URL)
+    resp.raise_for_status()
+    data = resp.json()
+    return int(data.get("stargazers_count", 21000))
 
 
 REFLEX_STAR_COUNT = get_stars_on_build()