diff --git a/simulator/runner/bugbase.rs b/simulator/runner/bugbase.rs
index c9b1e3a90..3bfb05a9c 100644
--- a/simulator/runner/bugbase.rs
+++ b/simulator/runner/bugbase.rs
@@ -279,12 +279,11 @@ impl BugBase {
                         })?;
                 let plan: InteractionPlan = serde_json::from_str(&plan)
                     .with_context(|| "should be able to deserialize plan")?;
-
                 let runs =
                     std::fs::read_to_string(self.path.join(seed.to_string()).join("runs.json"))
-                        .with_context(|| "should be able to read runs file")?;
-                let runs: Vec<BugRun> = serde_json::from_str(&runs)
-                    .with_context(|| "should be able to deserialize runs")?;
+                        .with_context(|| "should be able to read runs file")
+                        .and_then(|runs| serde_json::from_str(&runs).map_err(|e| anyhow!("{}", e)))
+                        .unwrap_or_default();
 
                 let bug = LoadedBug {
                     seed,