diff --git a/backend/app/db/functions/recommendations_functions.py b/backend/app/db/functions/recommendations_functions.py
index f7b5f5eb..9235e34f 100644
--- a/backend/app/db/functions/recommendations_functions.py
+++ b/backend/app/db/functions/recommendations_functions.py
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ def prepare_plan_data(
 
     # plan costing data
     cost_of_works = sum([r["total"] for r in default_recommendations])
-    contingency_cost = sum([r["contingency"] for r in default_recommendations])
+    contingency_cost = sum([r.get("contingency", 0) for r in default_recommendations])
 
     return {
         "portfolio_id": body.portfolio_id,