diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index c90395e..b0ade51 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -9,4 +9,9 @@ item_cache.json
 /log.log
 
 # Ignore the backup directory
-/bkp/
\ No newline at end of file
+/bkp/
+
+# Ignore build files
+/dist/
+/build/
+app.spec
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index ab1b6b6..b04151c 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -30,9 +30,14 @@ try:
     with open(QUEST_ASSORT_FILE_PATH) as f:
         quest_assort_data = json.load(f)
         logging.debug("Quest assort data loaded successfully")
+except json.JSONDecodeError as e:
+    logging.error(f"Error loading quest assort data (malformed JSON): {e}")
+    logging.error(traceback.format_exc())
+    quest_assort_data = {}
 except Exception as e:
     logging.error(f"Error loading quest assort data: {e}")
     logging.error(traceback.format_exc())
+    quest_assort_data = {}
 
 # Load cache or initialize an empty dictionary
 def load_item_cache():