diff --git a/certbot_dns_duckdns/__init__.py b/certbot_dns_duckdns/__init__.py
index 4fa30d2..ea6383d 100644
--- a/certbot_dns_duckdns/__init__.py
+++ b/certbot_dns_duckdns/__init__.py
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 """Certbot plugin for DNS-01 challenge using DuckDNS."""
 
-__version__ = "v1.7.0"
+__version__ = "v1.7.1"
diff --git a/certbot_dns_duckdns/cert/client.py b/certbot_dns_duckdns/cert/client.py
index 58083e6..8c59d48 100644
--- a/certbot_dns_duckdns/cert/client.py
+++ b/certbot_dns_duckdns/cert/client.py
@@ -118,15 +118,17 @@ def _perform(self, domain: str, validation_name: str, validation: str) -> None:
                     txt_values = custom_resolver.resolve(duckdns_domain, "TXT")
                 else:
                     txt_values = custom_resolver.query(duckdns_domain, "TXT")
-            except Exception as e:
-                raise errors.PluginError(e)
 
-            # there should only be one single TXT record
-            if len(txt_values) != 1:
-                raise errors.PluginError("issue resoling TXT record")
+                # there should only be one single TXT record
+                if len(txt_values) != 1:
+                    raise errors.PluginError("issue resoling TXT record")
 
-            # remove the additional quotes around the TXT value
-            self._old_txt_value = txt_values[0].to_text()[1:-1]
+                # remove the additional quotes around the TXT value
+                self._old_txt_value = txt_values[0].to_text()[1:-1]
+            except dns.resolver.NoAnswer:
+                self._old_txt_value = ""
+            except Exception as e:
+                raise errors.PluginError(e)
 
         try:
             self._get_duckdns_client().set_txt_record(duckdns_domain, validation)