diff --git a/include/sensors/mealie.yaml b/include/sensors/mealie.yaml
index 40d2a55..3b76133 100644
--- a/include/sensors/mealie.yaml
+++ b/include/sensors/mealie.yaml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     Content-Type: application/json
   method: GET
   scan_interval: 1800
-  value_template: "{{ value_json.items | length }}"
+  value_template: "{{ value_json['items'] | default([]) | length }}"
   json_attributes_path: "$"
   json_attributes:
     - items