diff --git a/storage/filesystem.go b/storage/filesystem.go
index 6de19e4..d958331 100644
--- a/storage/filesystem.go
+++ b/storage/filesystem.go
@@ -154,17 +154,15 @@ func (b *filesystemBackend) AddressBook(ctx context.Context) (*carddav.AddressBo
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	path = filepath.Join(path, "default.json")
-	_, err = os.Stat(path)
+
+	data, err := ioutil.ReadFile(path)
 	if os.IsNotExist(err) {
 		err = createDefaultAddressBook(path)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-	} else if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error opening address book: %s", err.Error())
+		data, err = ioutil.ReadFile(path)
 	}
-
-	data, err := ioutil.ReadFile(path)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error opening address book: %s", err.Error())
 	}