diff --git a/NTPClient.cpp b/NTPClient.cpp
index b435855..f73dca0 100755
--- a/NTPClient.cpp
+++ b/NTPClient.cpp
@@ -112,6 +112,10 @@ bool NTPClient::forceUpdate() {
   // this is NTP time (seconds since Jan 1 1900):
   unsigned long secsSince1900 = highWord << 16 | lowWord;
 
+  if (secsSince1900 == 0 ) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
   this->_currentEpoc = secsSince1900 - SEVENZYYEARS;
 
   return true;  // return true after successful update