diff --git a/package/gluon-mesh-vpn-tunneldigger/files/usr/bin/tunneldigger-watchdog b/package/gluon-mesh-vpn-tunneldigger/files/usr/bin/tunneldigger-watchdog
index adc14c4e..ccfb121a 100755
--- a/package/gluon-mesh-vpn-tunneldigger/files/usr/bin/tunneldigger-watchdog
+++ b/package/gluon-mesh-vpn-tunneldigger/files/usr/bin/tunneldigger-watchdog
@@ -17,12 +17,13 @@ end
 
 function has_mesh_vpn_neighbours()
 	local handle = io.popen('batctl o', 'r')
-	if handle then
-		for line in handle:lines() do
-			if line:find('mesh%-vpn') then
-				handle:close()
-				return true
-			end
+	if not handle then
+		return false
+	end
+	for line in handle:lines() do
+		if line:find('mesh%-vpn') then
+			handle:close()
+			return true
 		end
 	end
 	handle:close()