diff --git a/DOWNLOAD.md b/DOWNLOAD.md
index c866bd9..1cc248b 100644
--- a/DOWNLOAD.md
+++ b/DOWNLOAD.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 ## Download APK
 Please download the APK here from GitHub:
 
-[Download current UUID0xFD6FTracer.apk](https://github.com/marq24/UUID0xFD6FTracer/releases/tag/0.9.1.7)
+[Download current UUID0xFD6FTracer.apk](https://github.com/marq24/UUID0xFD6FTracer/releases/tag/0.9.1.8)
diff --git a/README_de.md b/README_de.md
index c1540a8..8b69736 100644
--- a/README_de.md
+++ b/README_de.md
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ https://f-droid.org/app/com.emacberry.uuid0xfd6fscan
 https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B08CY7JY1P
 
 #### Installation auch als Sideload möglich (erfordert 'Installation von unsicheren Quellen zulassen')
-[Download des aktuellen UUID0xFD6FTracer.apk direkt hier von GitHub](https://github.com/marq24/UUID0xFD6FTracer/releases/download/0.9.1.7/UUID0xFD6F_v0.9.1.7.apk)
+[Download des aktuellen UUID0xFD6FTracer.apk direkt hier von GitHub](https://github.com/marq24/UUID0xFD6FTracer/releases/download/0.9.1.8/UUID0xFD6F_v0.9.1.8.apk)
 
 ##### Kein Download via GooglePlay?
 Google hat ein zweites Mal entschieden die App aus dem Store zu entfernen, diesmal mit dem Hinweis darauf, dass der App
diff --git a/README_en.md b/README_en.md
index a41baed..13fc70d 100644
--- a/README_en.md
+++ b/README_en.md
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ https://f-droid.org/app/com.emacberry.uuid0xfd6fscan
 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CY7JY1P
 
 ### Sideload the APK (requires 'allow insecure apps' setting)
-[Download Latest from UUID0xFD6FTracer.apk](https://github.com/marq24/UUID0xFD6FTracer/releases/download/0.9.1.7/UUID0xFD6F_v0.9.1.7.apk)
+[Download Latest from UUID0xFD6FTracer.apk](https://github.com/marq24/UUID0xFD6FTracer/releases/download/0.9.1.8/UUID0xFD6F_v0.9.1.8.apk)
 
 ## Settings & Configuration
 Additional information about the settings and options can be found on the separate [SETTINGS.md](./SETTINGS.md).
diff --git a/README_fr.md b/README_fr.md
index f9783bf..d0e42ff 100644
--- a/README_fr.md
+++ b/README_fr.md
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ https://f-droid.org/app/com.emacberry.uuid0xfd6fscan
 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CY7JY1P
 
 ### Charger le fichier APK (nécessite le paramètre "Autoriser les applications non sécurisées")
-[Télécharger la dernière à partir de UUID0xFD6FTracer.apk](https://github.com/marq24/UUID0xFD6FTracer/releases/download/0.9.1.7/UUID0xFD6F_v0.9.1.7.apk)
+[Télécharger la dernière à partir de UUID0xFD6FTracer.apk](https://github.com/marq24/UUID0xFD6FTracer/releases/download/0.9.1.8/UUID0xFD6F_v0.9.1.8.apk)
 
 ---
 #### Cette application ne sera pas disponible via le PlayStore de Google
diff --git a/app/build.gradle b/app/build.gradle
index cddf479..5e27d72 100644
--- a/app/build.gradle
+++ b/app/build.gradle
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ android {
         applicationId "com.emacberry.uuid0xfd6fscan"
         minSdkVersion 23
         targetSdkVersion 29
-        versionCode 917
-        versionName "0.9.1.7"
+        versionCode 918
+        versionName "0.9.1.8"
         //testInstrumentationRunner "androidx.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
     }
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/emacberry/uuid0xfd6fscan/ScannerService.java b/app/src/main/java/com/emacberry/uuid0xfd6fscan/ScannerService.java
index fb733c8..79fc572 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/emacberry/uuid0xfd6fscan/ScannerService.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/emacberry/uuid0xfd6fscan/ScannerService.java
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ public void onSharedPreferenceChanged(SharedPreferences sharedPreferences, Strin
         //Log.d(LOG_TAG, "onSharedPreferenceChanged "+key);
         if(key.equals(getString(R.string.PKEY_SCANMODE))){
             String newScanMode = sharedPreferences.getString(getString(R.string.PKEY_SCANMODE), null);
-            if(!mScanMode.equals(newScanMode)){
+            if(mScanMode== null || !mScanMode.equals(newScanMode)){
                 mScanMode = newScanMode;
                 restartScan();
             }
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ public void startScan(boolean viaGui) {
         if(checkScanPermissions()) {
             if (mBluetoothLeScanner != null && mBluetoothAdapter != null && mBluetoothAdapter.isEnabled() && !mScannIsRunning) {
                 Log.d(LOG_TAG, "mBluetoothLeScanner.startScan() called");
-
+                ensureScanModeSet();
                 ArrayList<ScanFilter> f = new ArrayList<>();
                 switch (mScanMode){
                     case "ENF_FRA":
@@ -345,6 +345,21 @@ public void startScan(boolean viaGui) {
         }
     }
 
+    private void ensureScanModeSet() {
+        // for what ever reason the init of the Prefs was not successful?!
+        if(mScanMode == null){
+            try {
+                mScanMode = Preferences.getInstance(getBaseContext()).getString(R.string.PKEY_SCANMODE, R.string.DVAL_SCANMODE);
+            }catch(Throwable t){
+                Log.d(LOG_TAG, ""+t.getMessage());
+            } finally {
+                if(mScanMode == null){
+                    mScanMode = "ENF";
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     private AppOpsManager mAppOps;
     private boolean checkScanPermissions() {
         if(mAppOps==null){
@@ -640,6 +655,7 @@ public void run(){
     }
 
     public int[] getBeaconCountByType() {
+        ensureScanModeSet();
         switch (mScanMode){
             default:
             case "ENF":
diff --git a/fastlane/metadata/android/de-DE/changelogs/918.txt b/fastlane/metadata/android/de-DE/changelogs/918.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..355c327
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fastlane/metadata/android/de-DE/changelogs/918.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fix wenn Einstellungen/Preferences nicht gelesen werden können
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/fastlane/metadata/android/en-US/changelogs/918.txt b/fastlane/metadata/android/en-US/changelogs/918.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..04467dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fastlane/metadata/android/en-US/changelogs/918.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fix if Preferences could not be read and the scan-mode is null
\ No newline at end of file