diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__package_apt/gencode-remote b/cdist/conf/type/__package_apt/gencode-remote
index 4508f249..2a86e37f 100755
--- a/cdist/conf/type/__package_apt/gencode-remote
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__package_apt/gencode-remote
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ case "$state_should" in
         # https://code.ungleich.ch/ungleich-public/cdist/-/issues/861
         apt_opts="-o Acquire::AllowReleaseInfoChange::Suite=true -o Acquire::AllowReleaseInfoChange::Version=true"
         if [ "$(cat "$__object/explorer/index")" = 'update' ]; then
-            echo 'touch /var/lib/apt/lists'
+            echo 'if [ -d /var/lib/apt/lists ]; then touch /var/lib/apt/lists; fi'
             echo "apt-get $apt_opts update || true"
         fi
         if [ -n "$version" ]; then