diff --git a/hbd b/hbd
index f98fee6..a1c4173 100755
--- a/hbd
+++ b/hbd
@@ -83,6 +83,14 @@ class Host:
 		self.cmds = []
 		num += 1
 
+
+	# called when reloading class from pickle
+	def fixup(self):
+		try:
+			a=self.cmds
+		except:
+			self.cmds=[]
+
 	def getstate(self):
 		return self.state
 
@@ -744,6 +752,8 @@ if os.path.exists(PICKFILE):
 		pickf.close()
 	except:
 		os.unlink(PICKFILE)
+	for h in hosts.keys():
+		hosts[h].fixup()
 	for h in drophosts:
 		if h in hosts:		# was: hosts.has_key(h):
 			del hosts[h]