diff --git a/_plugins/external-posts.rb b/_plugins/external-posts.rb
index 76b6243ffce9..fccaf09d7c67 100644
--- a/_plugins/external-posts.rb
+++ b/_plugins/external-posts.rb
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ def generate(site)
         site.config['external_sources'].each do |src|
           p "Fetching external posts from #{src['name']}:"
           xml = HTTParty.get(src['rss_url']).body
+          return if xml.nil?
           feed = Feedjira.parse(xml)
           feed.entries.each do |e|
             p "...fetching #{e.url}"