diff --git a/ttbp/config/__init__.py b/ttbp/config/__init__.py
index 7a00748..bfbcc0a 100644
--- a/ttbp/config/__init__.py
+++ b/ttbp/config/__init__.py
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ MAIN_FEELS = os.path.join(PATH, 'entries')
 BURIED_FEELS = os.path.join(PATH, 'buried')
 NOPUB = os.path.join(USER_CONFIG, 'nopub')
 BACKUPS = os.path.join(PATH, 'backups')
+SUBS = os.path.join(USER_CONFIG, 'subs')
 
 ## UI
 
diff --git a/ttbp/ttbp.py b/ttbp/ttbp.py
index 3db1cc8..61d004b 100644
--- a/ttbp/ttbp.py
+++ b/ttbp/ttbp.py
@@ -700,6 +700,10 @@ def subscription_handler(intro=""):
     submenu for managing subscriptions
     '''
 
+    if not os.path.exists(config.SUBS):
+        subprocess.call(["touch", config.SUBS])
+        subprocess.call(["chmod", "600", config.SUBS])
+
     menuOptions = [
             "view subscribed feed",
             "manage subscriptions"