diff --git a/vmupdate/agent/source/apt/apt_cli.py b/vmupdate/agent/source/apt/apt_cli.py
index e6077f3..9779ad7 100644
--- a/vmupdate/agent/source/apt/apt_cli.py
+++ b/vmupdate/agent/source/apt/apt_cli.py
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ def wait_for_lock(self):
         """
         Wait for any other apt-get instance to finish.
         """
+        if not os.path.exists("/var/lib/apt/lists/lock"):
+            return
         with self.apt_lock():
             pass