diff --git a/openstack_releases/cmds/check_diff_start.py b/openstack_releases/cmds/check_diff_start.py
index b41fcf0a10..887bc49523 100644
--- a/openstack_releases/cmds/check_diff_start.py
+++ b/openstack_releases/cmds/check_diff_start.py
@@ -86,6 +86,10 @@ def main():
 
         branch = 'stable/' + args.prev_series
 
+        if not deliverable_info.get('releases'):
+            print('  no releases')
+            continue
+
         # assume the releases are in order and take the last one
         new_release = deliverable_info['releases'][-1]
         print('version {}'.format(new_release['version']))