diff --git a/src/judas_server/backend/backend_server.py b/src/judas_server/backend/backend_server.py
index 03bc6e2..4529297 100644
--- a/src/judas_server/backend/backend_server.py
+++ b/src/judas_server/backend/backend_server.py
@@ -49,9 +49,9 @@ class BackendServer:
         )
 
         self.clients: dict[str, Client] = {}
-        self.known_clients: dict[str, dict[str, str | float]] = (
-            self._load_known_clients()
-        )
+
+        self.known_clients: dict[str, dict[str, str | float]] = {}
+        self.known_clients = self._load_known_clients()
 
         self.message_handlers: dict[
             tuple[Category, ActionType], Callable[[Client, Message], None]
@@ -114,8 +114,7 @@ class BackendServer:
             self.logger.warning(
                 "known_clients.yaml not found, creating empty known clients list"
             )
-            with open("config/known_clients.yaml", "w") as f:
-                yaml.safe_dump({"known_clients": {}}, f)
+            self._save_known_clients()
         except Exception as e:
             self.logger.error(f"Error loading known clients: {e}")
             raise