diff --git a/files/www/cgi-bin/mesh b/files/www/cgi-bin/mesh
index 23d41fe5..a139d651 100755
--- a/files/www/cgi-bin/mesh
+++ b/files/www/cgi-bin/mesh
@@ -84,6 +84,10 @@ use perlfunc;
 	);
 
 # Limit displayed nodes and services to the most reachable routes if memory on the node is small
+if ( `/sbin/uci -q get aredn.\@meshstatus[0]` eq "" )
+{
+    system "(/sbin/uci -q add aredn meshstatus; /sbin/uci -q commit aredn) > /dev/null";
+}
 %lowMemoryLimits = (
         memory => `/sbin/uci -q get aredn.\@meshstatus[0].lowmem` || 10000,
         routes => `/sbin/uci -q get aredn.\@meshstatus[0].lowroutes` || 1000,