diff --git a/pylast/__init__.py b/pylast/__init__.py
index d6ee580..2259649 100644
--- a/pylast/__init__.py
+++ b/pylast/__init__.py
@@ -3984,6 +3984,9 @@ def _collect_nodes(limit, sender, method_name, cacheable, params=None):
         doc = sender._request(method_name, cacheable, params)
         doc = cleanup_nodes(doc)
 
+        # break if there are no child nodes
+        if not doc.documentElement.childNodes:
+            break
         main = doc.documentElement.childNodes[0]
 
         if main.hasAttribute("totalPages"):