diff --git a/backend/report_type/detailed_report/detailed_report.py b/backend/report_type/detailed_report/detailed_report.py
index 0a2b1f52e..754f9a456 100644
--- a/backend/report_type/detailed_report/detailed_report.py
+++ b/backend/report_type/detailed_report/detailed_report.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ async def _initial_research(self):
 
     async def _get_all_subtopics(self) -> list:
         subtopics = await self.main_task_assistant.get_subtopics()
-        return subtopics.dict()["subtopics"]
+        return subtopics.dict().get("subtopics", [])
 
     async def _generate_subtopic_reports(self, subtopics: list) -> tuple:
         subtopic_reports = []