diff --git a/foodie_utils.py b/foodie_utils.py
index 206aa65..64e62b8 100644
--- a/foodie_utils.py
+++ b/foodie_utils.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ IMAGE_EXPIRATION_DAYS = 7  # 7 days, consistent with foodie_automator_rss.py
 def load_json_file(file_path, expiration_hours=None, default=None):
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
     if default is None:
-        default = []
+        default = [] if "rate_limit_info" not in file_path else {}
     
     if not os.path.exists(file_path):
         logger.info(f"File {file_path} does not exist. Returning default: {default}")
@@ -57,6 +57,14 @@ def load_json_file(file_path, expiration_hours=None, default=None):
         with open(file_path, 'r') as f:
             data = json.load(f)
         
+        # Handle rate_limit_info.json differently
+        if "rate_limit_info" in file_path:
+            if not isinstance(data, dict):
+                logger.warning(f"Data in {file_path} is not a dictionary, resetting to default")
+                return default
+            return data
+        
+        # For other files, expect a list
         if not isinstance(data, list):
             logger.warning(f"Data in {file_path} is not a list, resetting to default")
             return default
@@ -1689,6 +1697,29 @@ def is_any_script_running():
         logger.error(f"Failed to check system_activity.json: {e}")
         return False       
 
+def initialize_rate_limit_info():
+    """
+    Initialize rate_limit_info.json with proper structure for all authors.
+    """
+    rate_limit_file = '/home/shane/foodie_automator/rate_limit_info.json'
+    current_time = time.time()
+    tweet_window_seconds = 86400  # 24 hours
+    
+    # Initialize with all authors
+    rate_limit_info = {}
+    for author in AUTHORS:
+        username = author['username']
+        rate_limit_info[username] = {
+            'tweet_remaining': 17,  # Free tier max
+            'tweet_reset': current_time + tweet_window_seconds,
+            'tweets_posted_in_run': 0
+        }
+    
+    # Save the initialized data
+    save_json_file(rate_limit_file, rate_limit_info)
+    logger.info(f"Initialized rate_limit_info.json with {len(rate_limit_info)} authors")
+    return rate_limit_info
+
 def check_author_rate_limit(author, max_tweets=17, tweet_window_seconds=86400):
     """
     Check if an author can post based on their X API Free tier quota (17 tweets per 24 hours per user).
@@ -1702,14 +1733,9 @@ def check_author_rate_limit(author, max_tweets=17, tweet_window_seconds=86400):
     rate_limit_info = load_json_file(rate_limit_file, default={})
     username = author['username']
     
-    # Initialize author entry if missing
-    if username not in rate_limit_info:
-        rate_limit_info[username] = {
-            'tweet_remaining': max_tweets,
-            'tweet_reset': current_time + tweet_window_seconds,
-            'tweets_posted_in_run': 0
-        }
-        save_json_file(rate_limit_file, rate_limit_info)
+    # Initialize author entry if missing or if file is empty
+    if not rate_limit_info or username not in rate_limit_info:
+        rate_limit_info = initialize_rate_limit_info()
     
     author_info = rate_limit_info[username]
     
@@ -1775,7 +1801,7 @@ def check_author_rate_limit(author, max_tweets=17, tweet_window_seconds=86400):
         logger.info(f"Quota for {username}: {remaining}/{max_tweets} tweets remaining")
     
     return can_post, remaining, reset
-    
+
 def prepare_post_data(summary, title, main_topic=None):
     try:
         logging.info(f"Preparing post data for summary: {summary[:100]}...")