diff --git a/frigate/api/classification.py b/frigate/api/classification.py
index 498158ff2..d3ee9c3d9 100644
--- a/frigate/api/classification.py
+++ b/frigate/api/classification.py
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ router = APIRouter(tags=[Tags.events])
 def get_faces():
     face_dict: dict[str, list[str]] = {}
 
+    if not os.path.exists(FACE_DIR):
+        return JSONResponse(status_code=200, content={})
+
     for name in os.listdir(FACE_DIR):
         face_dir = os.path.join(FACE_DIR, name)
 
diff --git a/frigate/data_processing/real_time/face.py b/frigate/data_processing/real_time/face.py
index 61baba98e..ce2ea85c1 100644
--- a/frigate/data_processing/real_time/face.py
+++ b/frigate/data_processing/real_time/face.py
@@ -506,6 +506,7 @@ class FaceRealTimeProcessor(RealTimeProcessorApi):
             if self.config.face_recognition.save_attempts:
                 # write face to library
                 folder = os.path.join(FACE_DIR, "train")
+                os.makedirs(folder, exist_ok=True)
                 new_file = os.path.join(
                     folder, f"{id}-{sub_label}-{score}-{face_score}.webp"
                 )