diff --git a/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc b/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc
index e13bdc4e6..7bb6bfc60 100644
--- a/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc
+++ b/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc
@@ -225,6 +225,12 @@ function write_config($desc = 'Unknown', $backup = true)
 		session_write_close();
 	}
 
+	if (!isset($config['version'])) {
+		// Examine config.xml, if for some strange reason the content is unexpected : exit directly.
+		log_error(gettext("WARNING: Corrupt config!"));
+		return -1;
+	}
+
 	$cnf = OPNsense\Core\Config::getInstance();
 	$cnf->fromArray($config);
 	$revision_info = make_config_revision_entry($desc);
diff --git a/src/etc/inc/services.inc b/src/etc/inc/services.inc
index 998b515cd..b5ad61680 100644
--- a/src/etc/inc/services.inc
+++ b/src/etc/inc/services.inc
@@ -2308,6 +2308,19 @@ function upnp_start() {
 	}
 }
 
+/**
+ * check if cron exists
+ */
+function cron_job_exists($command) {
+	global $config;
+	foreach($config['cron']['item'] as $item) {
+		if(strstr($item['command'], $command)) {
+			return true;
+		}
+	}
+	return false;
+}
+
 function install_cron_job($command, $active=false, $minute="0", $hour="*", $monthday="*", $month="*", $weekday="*", $who="root") {
 	global $config, $g;
 
diff --git a/src/www/diag_backup.php b/src/www/diag_backup.php
index 15eb6eefa..301a1db79 100644
--- a/src/www/diag_backup.php
+++ b/src/www/diag_backup.php
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ require_once("guiconfig.inc");
 require_once("functions.inc");
 require_once("filter.inc");
 require_once("shaper.inc");
+require_once("services.inc");
+require_once("util.inc");
 
 $rrddbpath = '/var/db/rrd';
 $rrdtool = '/usr/local/bin/rrdtool';
@@ -508,6 +510,11 @@ if ($_POST) {
                       // test / perform backup 
                       try {
                          $filesInBackup = backup_to_google_drive() ;
+                         $cron_job = "/usr/local/opnsense/scripts/remote_backup.php";
+                         if (!cron_job_exists($cron_job)) {
+                           // initial cron job install
+                           install_cron_job($cron_job,true,0,1);
+                         }
                       } catch (Exception $e) { 
                          $filesInBackup = array() ;
                       }