diff --git a/nominatim/tools/database_import.py b/nominatim/tools/database_import.py
index 7d71386f..ab8ccdd2 100644
--- a/nominatim/tools/database_import.py
+++ b/nominatim/tools/database_import.py
@@ -191,7 +191,8 @@ def truncate_data_tables(conn, max_word_frequency=None):
         cur.execute('TRUNCATE location_property_tiger')
         cur.execute('TRUNCATE location_property_osmline')
         cur.execute('TRUNCATE location_postcode')
-        cur.execute('TRUNCATE search_name')
+        if conn.table_exists('search_name'):
+            cur.execute('TRUNCATE search_name')
         cur.execute('DROP SEQUENCE IF EXISTS seq_place')
         cur.execute('CREATE SEQUENCE seq_place start 100000')