diff --git a/advlabdb/dependent_funs.py b/advlabdb/dependent_funs.py
index 605bda3..5826e6e 100644
--- a/advlabdb/dependent_funs.py
+++ b/advlabdb/dependent_funs.py
@@ -51,17 +51,22 @@ def setUserActiveSemester(semesterId):
 
 def initActiveSemesterMenuLinks(space):
     with app.app_context():
-        semesters = Semester.query.order_by(Semester.id.desc())
-        for semester in semesters:
-            space.add_link(
-                MenuLink(
-                    name=semester.repr(),
-                    url=url_for("set_semester") + "?semester_id=" + str(semester.id),
-                    category="Active semester",
+        try:
+            semesters = Semester.query.order_by(Semester.id.desc())
+            for semester in semesters:
+                space.add_link(
+                    MenuLink(
+                        name=semester.repr(),
+                        url=url_for("set_semester") + "?semester_id=" + str(semester.id),
+                        category="Active semester",
+                    )
                 )
+        except Exception as ex:
+            print(
+                "ERROR: The Semester table does not exist yet! Therefore, menu links could not be generated. You can ignore this error if you are just initializing the database."
             )
-
-        space.add_link(MenuLink(name="Logout", url=url_for("security.logout")))
+        else:
+            space.add_link(MenuLink(name="Logout", url=url_for("security.logout")))
 
 
 def reportBadAttempt(message):
diff --git a/advlabdb/scripts/setup/init_database.py b/advlabdb/scripts/setup/init_database.py
index 9b91402..9a5629d 100644
--- a/advlabdb/scripts/setup/init_database.py
+++ b/advlabdb/scripts/setup/init_database.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from ..terminal_utils import box, confirm, validating_input
 
 
 def main():
+    print("\n")
     print("This script should only be used to initialize the database after setting up a server")
     print("The old database will be DELETED and a new database will be created.")