diff --git a/web/nodes.py b/web/nodes.py
index f0c83c8d..2625dcf9 100644
--- a/web/nodes.py
+++ b/web/nodes.py
@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@ from anytree import NodeMixin
 from re import findall as re_findall
 from os import environ
 
-DOWNLOAD_DIR = environ.get('DOWNLOAD_DIR')
-if not DOWNLOAD_DIR.endswith("/"):
+DOWNLOAD_DIR = environ.get('DOWNLOAD_DIR', '')
+if len(DOWNLOAD_DIR) == 0:
+    DOWNLOAD_DIR = '/usr/src/app/downloads/'
+elif not DOWNLOAD_DIR.endswith("/"):
     DOWNLOAD_DIR = f'{DOWNLOAD_DIR}/'