diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/local.py b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/local.py
index c69042d5..3ce150e1 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/local.py
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/local.py
@@ -70,8 +70,12 @@ if env("USE_DOCKER") == "yes":
     hostname, _, ips = socket.gethostbyname_ex(socket.gethostname())
     INTERNAL_IPS += [".".join(ip.split(".")[:-1] + ["1"]) for ip in ips]
     {%- if cookiecutter.js_task_runner == 'Gulp' %}
-    _, _, ips = socket.gethostbyname_ex("node")
-    INTERNAL_IPS.extend(ips)
+    try:
+        _, _, ips = socket.gethostbyname_ex("node")
+        INTERNAL_IPS.extend(ips)
+    except socket.gaierror:
+        # The node container isn't started (yet?)
+        pass
     {%- endif %}
 {%- endif %}