diff --git a/text_renderer/bg_manager.py b/text_renderer/bg_manager.py
index 025224a3..ef48bf58 100644
--- a/text_renderer/bg_manager.py
+++ b/text_renderer/bg_manager.py
@@ -30,7 +30,12 @@ def __init__(self, bg_dir: Path = None, pre_load: bool = True):
                     if pre_load:
                         self.bg_imgs.append(self._get_bg(str(p)))
 
-        assert len(self.bg_imgs) != 0, "background image is empty"
+        if len(self.bg_imgs) == 0:
+            logger.warning("No background images found. Creating a default white background.")
+            # Create a default white background
+            default_bg = Image.new('RGB', (800, 600), (255, 255, 255))
+            self.bg_imgs = [default_bg]
+            self.bg_paths = ['default_white']
 
     def _is_transparent_image(self, p: Path):
         pil_img: PILImage = Image.open(p)