diff --git a/molecularnodes/entities/molecule/ui.py b/molecularnodes/entities/molecule/ui.py
index 42f6cb37..8fde2c75 100644
--- a/molecularnodes/entities/molecule/ui.py
+++ b/molecularnodes/entities/molecule/ui.py
@@ -491,7 +491,11 @@ def panel_wwpdb(layout, scene):
     op.style = scene.mn.import_style
     op.centre = scene.mn.import_centre
     op.centre_type = scene.mn.import_centre_type
-    op.cache_dir = str(addon_preferences().cache_dir)
+    prefs = addon_preferences()
+    if prefs is not None:
+        op.cache_dir = str(prefs.cache_dir)
+    else:
+        op.cache_dir = str(bpy.app.tempdir)
     layout.separator(factor=0.4)
 
     layout.separator()
@@ -537,7 +541,11 @@ def panel_alphafold(layout, scene):
     op.style = scene.mn.import_style
     op.centre = scene.mn.import_centre
     op.centre_type = scene.mn.import_centre_type
-    op.cache_dir = str(addon_preferences().cache_dir)
+    prefs = addon_preferences()
+    if prefs is not None:
+        op.cache_dir = str(prefs.cache_dir)
+    else:
+        op.cache_dir = str(bpy.app.tempdir)
 
     layout.separator(factor=0.4)
 
diff --git a/molecularnodes/pref.py b/molecularnodes/pref.py
index 6cec3c1a..51cd2ea2 100644
--- a/molecularnodes/pref.py
+++ b/molecularnodes/pref.py
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@ def addon_preferences(
     try:
         return context.preferences.addons[__package__].preferences
     except KeyError:
-        return context.preferences.addons[
-            "bl_ext.vscode_development.molecularnodes"
-        ].preferences
-
+        key = "bl_ext.vscode_development.molecularnodes"
+        if key in context.preferences.addons:
+            return context.preferences.addons[key].preferences
+        return None
 
 class MN_OT_Template_Install(bpy.types.Operator):
     bl_idname = "mn.template_install"