diff --git a/jrnl/install.py b/jrnl/install.py
index b5ce9b33..f8322fba 100644
--- a/jrnl/install.py
+++ b/jrnl/install.py
@@ -76,10 +76,8 @@ def load_or_install_jrnl(alt_config_path):
         config = load_config(config_path)
 
         if config is None:
-            print(
-                f"Configuration file {config_path} is empty, now using default config"
-            )
-            config = get_default_config()
+            print("Unable to parse config file", file=sys.stderr)
+            sys.exit()
 
         if is_old_version(config_path):
             from jrnl import upgrade