diff --git a/tests/examples/python/read_example.py b/tests/examples/python/read_example.py
index a96115dfb2..73c4b95214 100644
--- a/tests/examples/python/read_example.py
+++ b/tests/examples/python/read_example.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
 
     # Create a database named db
     try:
-        c1.execute('create database db')
+        c1.execute('create database if not exists db ')
     except Exception as err:
         conn.close()
         raise(err)