diff --git a/cbpi/__init__.py b/cbpi/__init__.py
index 6c0ca09..2f7ee36 100644
--- a/cbpi/__init__.py
+++ b/cbpi/__init__.py
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
-__version__ = "4.1.0.rc5"
+__version__ = "4.1.0.rc6"
 __codename__ = "Groundhog Day"
 
diff --git a/cbpi/configFolder.py b/cbpi/configFolder.py
index 043ed2e..807550b 100644
--- a/cbpi/configFolder.py
+++ b/cbpi/configFolder.py
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ class ConfigFolder:
             ['actor.json', 'file'],
             ['sensor.json', 'file'],
             ['kettle.json', 'file'],
-            ['fermenter_data.json', 'file'],
-            ['step_data.json', 'file'],
+            #['fermenter_data.json', 'file'], created by fermentation_controller @ start if not available
+            #['step_data.json', 'file'],  created by step_controller @ start if not available
             ['config.json', 'file'],
             ['craftbeerpi.service', 'file'],
             ['chromium.desktop', 'file'],
diff --git a/cbpi/controller/fermentation_controller.py b/cbpi/controller/fermentation_controller.py
index 8fa5de2..9dbc6ba 100644
--- a/cbpi/controller/fermentation_controller.py
+++ b/cbpi/controller/fermentation_controller.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class FermentationController:
 
     def check_fermenter_file(self):
         if os.path.exists(self.cbpi.config_folder.get_file_path("fermenter_data.json")) is False:
-            logging.info("INIT fermenter_data.json file")
+            logging.warning("Missing fermenter_data.json file. INIT empty file")
             data = {
                     "data": [
                             ]
@@ -71,11 +71,23 @@ class FermentationController:
 
 
     async def load(self):
-        with open(self.path) as json_file:
-            data = json.load(json_file)
+        try:
+            with open(self.path) as json_file:
+                data = json.load(json_file)
 
+                for i in data["data"]:
+                    self.data.append(self._create(i))
+        except:
+            logging.warning("Invalid fermenter_data.json file - Creating empty file")
+            os.remove(self.path)
+            data = {
+                    "data": [
+                            ]
+                    }
+            destfile = self.cbpi.config_folder.get_file_path("fermenter_data.json")
+            json.dump(data,open(destfile,'w'),indent=4, sort_keys=True)
             for i in data["data"]:
-                self.data.append(self._create(i))
+                    self.data.append(self._create(i))
                  
     def _create_step(self, fermenter, item):
         id = item.get("id")
diff --git a/cbpi/controller/step_controller.py b/cbpi/controller/step_controller.py
index 8850fd9..651b3fb 100644
--- a/cbpi/controller/step_controller.py
+++ b/cbpi/controller/step_controller.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import yaml
 import logging
 import os.path
 from os import listdir
+import os
 from os.path import isfile, join
 import shortuuid
 from cbpi.api.dataclasses import NotificationAction, Props, Step
@@ -54,23 +55,42 @@ class StepController:
         
         # create file if not exists
         if os.path.exists(self.path) is False:
+            logging.warning("Missing step_data.json file. INIT empty file")
             with open(self.path, "w") as file:
                 json.dump(dict(basic={}, steps=[]), file, indent=4, sort_keys=True)
 
         #load from json file
-        with open(self.path) as json_file:
-            data = json.load(json_file)
-            self.basic_data  = data["basic"]
-            self.profile = data["steps"]
+        try:
+            with open(self.path) as json_file:
+                data = json.load(json_file)
+                self.basic_data  = data["basic"]
+                self.profile = data["steps"]
 
+            # Start step after start up
+            self.profile = list(map(lambda item: self.create(item), self.profile))
+            if startActive is True:
+                active_step = self.find_by_status("A")
+                if active_step is not None:
+                    asyncio.get_event_loop().create_task(self.start_step(active_step))
+                    #self._loop.create_task(self.start_step(active_step))
+        except:
+            logging.warning("Invalid step_data.json file - Creating empty file")
+            os.remove(self.path)
+            with open(self.path, "w") as file:
+                json.dump(dict(basic={"name": ""}, steps=[]), file, indent=4, sort_keys=True)
+
+            with open(self.path) as json_file:
+                data = json.load(json_file)
+                self.basic_data  = data["basic"]
+                self.profile = data["steps"]
         
-        # Start step after start up
-        self.profile = list(map(lambda item: self.create(item), self.profile))
-        if startActive is True:
-            active_step = self.find_by_status("A")
-            if active_step is not None:
-                asyncio.get_event_loop().create_task(self.start_step(active_step))
-                #self._loop.create_task(self.start_step(active_step))
+            # Start step after start up
+            self.profile = list(map(lambda item: self.create(item), self.profile))
+            if startActive is True:
+                active_step = self.find_by_status("A")
+                if active_step is not None:
+                    asyncio.get_event_loop().create_task(self.start_step(active_step))
+                    #self._loop.create_task(self.start_step(active_step))
 
     async def add(self, item: Step):
         logging.debug("Add step")