diff --git a/scripts/escalation_running_notes.py b/scripts/escalation_running_notes.py
index 3a92974..fafd261 100644
--- a/scripts/escalation_running_notes.py
+++ b/scripts/escalation_running_notes.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 import markdown
 import yaml
 from genologics_sql.utils import get_session
+from ibm_cloud_sdk_core.api_exception import ApiException
 from sqlalchemy import text
 from sqlalchemy.orm import aliased
 
@@ -74,7 +75,10 @@ def make_esc_running_note(
 
     def update_note_db(note):
         updated = False
-        note_existing = couch.get_document(db=db, doc_id=note["_id"]).get_result()
+        try:
+            note_existing = couch.get_document(db=db, doc_id=note["_id"]).get_result()
+        except ApiException:
+            note_existing = None
         if "_rev" in note.keys():
             del note["_rev"]