diff --git a/lean/container.py b/lean/container.py
index 6b042c3c..392e06e7 100644
--- a/lean/container.py
+++ b/lean/container.py
@@ -58,6 +58,9 @@ def get_project_id(project_config: Storage):
         str: The 'cloud-id' if it exists, otherwise the 'local-id'.
              If neither is found, returns None.
     """
+    if not project_config:
+        container.logger.debug("get_project_id: Project configuration is missing. Using default project ID: '0'")
+        return '0'
     return project_config.get("cloud-id") or project_config.get("local-id")