diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index af906b0..fe2bbc4 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -68,13 +68,13 @@ func generateSelfPeer() error {
 	// check if peer already exists
 	p := oclib.Search(nil, strconv.Itoa(peer.SELF.EnumIndex()), oclib.LibDataEnum(oclib.PEER))
 	file := ""
+	f, err := os.ReadFile(conf.GetConfig().PublicKeyPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	file = string(f)
 	if len(p.Data) > 0 {
 		// check public key with the one in the database
-		f, err := os.ReadFile(conf.GetConfig().PublicKeyPath)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		file = string(f)
 		// compare the public key from file with the one in the database
 		if !strings.Contains(file, p.Data[0].(*peer.Peer).PublicKey) {
 			return errors.New("public key is different from the one in the database")