diff --git a/lib/rex/proto/dns/resolver.rb b/lib/rex/proto/dns/resolver.rb
index 9b79712df2ad..6aa1345e6ace 100644
--- a/lib/rex/proto/dns/resolver.rb
+++ b/lib/rex/proto/dns/resolver.rb
@@ -84,8 +84,15 @@ def initialize(config = {})
           raise ResolverArgumentError, "Option #{key} not valid"
         end
       end
+
       self.static_hostnames = StaticHostnames.new(hostnames: static_hosts)
-      self.static_hostnames.parse_hosts_file
+      begin
+        self.static_hostnames.parse_hosts_file
+      rescue StandardError => e
+        @logger.error 'Failed to parse the hosts file, ignoring it'
+        # if the hosts file is corrupted, just use a default instance with any specified hostnames
+        self.static_hostnames = StaticHostnames.new(hostnames: static_hosts)
+      end
     end
     #
     # Provides current proxy setting if configured