diff --git a/backup.sh b/backup.sh
index 8bdcdcb..590f120 100755
--- a/backup.sh
+++ b/backup.sh
@@ -291,9 +291,19 @@ main() {
         # Test restic repository access
         log "Testing repository access..."
         if ! restic -r "${CONFIG[RESTIC_REPOSITORY]}" snapshots 2>&1 | tee -a "$BACKUP_LOG"; then
-            log "Error: Cannot access repository. Please check your credentials and repository URL."
-            backup_exit_code=1
+            log "Repository not initialized. Attempting to initialize..."
+            if ! restic -r "${CONFIG[RESTIC_REPOSITORY]}" init 2>&1 | tee -a "$BACKUP_LOG"; then
+                log "Error: Failed to initialize repository. Please check your credentials and repository URL."
+                backup_exit_code=1
+            else
+                log "Repository initialized successfully"
+                backup_exit_code=0
+            fi
         else
+            backup_exit_code=0
+        fi
+        
+        if [ $backup_exit_code -eq 0 ]; then
             # Run backup
             log "Running backup..."
             log "Command: restic -r ${CONFIG[RESTIC_REPOSITORY]} backup ${CONFIG[BACKUP_PATH]}"