diff --git a/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/plugins/ExternalPluginManager.java b/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/plugins/ExternalPluginManager.java
index 5c2a17f573..4fd7bc5d77 100644
--- a/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/plugins/ExternalPluginManager.java
+++ b/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/plugins/ExternalPluginManager.java
@@ -355,6 +355,13 @@ class ExternalPluginManager
 		{
 			e.printStackTrace();
 		}
+		catch (StringIndexOutOfBoundsException e)
+		{
+			log.error("Error loading external repositories. They have been reset.");
+			openOSRSConfig.setExternalRepositories("OpenOSRS:https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-osrs/plugin-hosting/master/");
+		}
+
+		this.updateManager = new UpdateManager(this.externalPluginManager, repositories);
 	}
 
 	public void addGHRepository(String owner, String name)