diff --git a/matrix_alertbot/alert.py b/matrix_alertbot/alert.py
index 6b3c1b5..dd07b44 100644
--- a/matrix_alertbot/alert.py
+++ b/matrix_alertbot/alert.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class Alert:
         self.description = annotations["description"]
 
         if self.firing:
-            self.status = self.labels["severity"]
+            self.status = self.labels.get("severity", "unknown_alert")
         else:
             self.status = "resolved"
 
@@ -55,11 +55,11 @@ class Alert:
 
     @property
     def emoji(self) -> str:
-        return self.EMOJIS[self.status]
+        return self.EMOJIS.get(self.status, "❓️")
 
     @property
     def color(self) -> str:
-        return self.COLORS[self.status]
+        return self.COLORS.get(self.status, "ffff0c")
 
     def match_label(self, label_name: str, pattern: re.Pattern[str]) -> bool:
         if label_name not in self.labels: