diff --git a/scripts/start-up.sh b/scripts/start-up.sh
index f39a986..b6f0456 100644
--- a/scripts/start-up.sh
+++ b/scripts/start-up.sh
@@ -2,5 +2,11 @@
 
 # Exit on error
 set -eo pipefail
+
+# Ensure trusted IP whitelist files exist (volume-mounted /etc/haproxy may shadow image defaults)
+mkdir -p /etc/haproxy
+[ -f /etc/haproxy/trusted_ips.list ] || : > /etc/haproxy/trusted_ips.list
+[ -f /etc/haproxy/trusted_ips.map ]  || : > /etc/haproxy/trusted_ips.map
+
 cron &
 python /haproxy/haproxy_manager.py