diff --git a/src/config_file.cpp b/src/config_file.cpp
index d9261fb..7230725 100644
--- a/src/config_file.cpp
+++ b/src/config_file.cpp
@@ -14,7 +14,9 @@ sc::config_file::config_file(const std::string& prog_name, bool has_dir)
     } else {
         cfg_path = _root + prog_name + "rc"; // standard "run control" file
     }
-    _cfg = sc::parse_ini_file(cfg_path);
+    if (sc::file_exists(cfg_path)) {
+        _cfg = sc::parse_ini_file(cfg_path);
+    }
 }
 
 std::string sc::config_file::path_for_file_name(const std::string& file_name) {