diff --git a/build.zig b/build.zig
index 290774a..3fa0ddb 100644
--- a/build.zig
+++ b/build.zig
@@ -127,10 +127,10 @@ fn buildExamples(
     var steps: std.ArrayList(*std.Build.Step.Compile) = .empty;
     defer steps.deinit(gpa);
 
-    var dir = try std.Io.Dir.cwd().openDir(io, try b.build_root.join(
+    var dir = std.Io.Dir.cwd().openDir(io, try b.build_root.join(
         gpa,
         &.{"examples"},
-    ), .{ .iterate = true });
+    ), .{ .iterate = true }) catch return steps.toOwnedSlice(gpa);
     defer dir.close(io);
 
     var it = dir.iterate();