diff --git a/ralph_loop.sh b/ralph_loop.sh
index 1623dbc..cd45f64 100755
--- a/ralph_loop.sh
+++ b/ralph_loop.sh
@@ -272,8 +272,12 @@ should_exit_gracefully() {
     
     # 4. Check fix_plan.md for completion
     if [[ -f "@fix_plan.md" ]]; then
-        local total_items=$(($(grep -c "^- \[" "@fix_plan.md" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)))
-        local completed_items=$(($(grep -c "^- \[x\]" "@fix_plan.md" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)))
+        local total_items=$(grep -c "^- \[" "@fix_plan.md" 2>/dev/null)
+        local completed_items=$(grep -c "^- \[x\]" "@fix_plan.md" 2>/dev/null)
+        
+        # Handle case where grep returns no matches (exit code 1)
+        [[ -z "$total_items" ]] && total_items=0
+        [[ -z "$completed_items" ]] && completed_items=0
         
         log_status "INFO" "DEBUG: @fix_plan.md check - total_items:$total_items, completed_items:$completed_items" >&2