diff --git a/evennia/contrib/game_systems/crafting/crafting.py b/evennia/contrib/game_systems/crafting/crafting.py
index ccbc734b98..7dea838ab3 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/game_systems/crafting/crafting.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/game_systems/crafting/crafting.py
@@ -146,9 +146,10 @@ def _load_recipes():
 
     global _RECIPE_CLASSES
     if not _RECIPE_CLASSES:
-        paths = ["evennia.contrib.game_systems.crafting.example_recipes"]
-        if hasattr(settings, "CRAFT_RECIPE_MODULES"):
+        if paths := getattr(settings, "CRAFT_RECIPE_MODULES", None):
             paths = make_iter(settings.CRAFT_RECIPE_MODULES)
+        else:
+            paths = ["evennia.contrib.game_systems.crafting.example_recipes"]
         for path in paths:
             for cls in callables_from_module(path).values():
                 if inherits_from(cls, CraftingRecipeBase):