diff --git a/utils.py b/utils.py
index 0e697fb..3bd95b4 100644
--- a/utils.py
+++ b/utils.py
@@ -44,10 +44,13 @@ def remove_deselected_files():
 
 def needs_update(src, out):
     mtime_src = os.lstat(src).st_mtime
-    mtime_out = os.lstat(out).st_mtime
+    if os.path.exists(out)
+        mtime_out = os.lstat(out).st_mtime
+    else:
+        mtime_out = 0
     #print("compare", src, out)
     #print("ts", mtime_src, mtime_out, mtime_src > mtime_out)
-    if not os.path.exists(out) or mtime_src > mtime_out:
+    if mtime_src > mtime_out:
         return True
     return False