diff --git a/jrnl/config.py b/jrnl/config.py
index 63de0586..7ded61ad 100644
--- a/jrnl/config.py
+++ b/jrnl/config.py
@@ -197,9 +197,9 @@ def get_journal_name(args, config):
             args.text = args.text[1:]
 
     if args.journal_name not in config["journals"]:
-        print("No default journal configured.", file=sys.stderr)
-        print(list_journals(config), file=sys.stderr)
-        sys.exit(1)
+        raise JrnlException(
+            Message(MsgText.NoDefaultJournal, MsgType.ERROR, { "journals": list_journals(config)}),
+        )
 
     logging.debug("Using journal name: %s", args.journal_name)
     return args
diff --git a/jrnl/messages.py b/jrnl/messages.py
index 340e7b69..b38ff2aa 100644
--- a/jrnl/messages.py
+++ b/jrnl/messages.py
@@ -67,6 +67,8 @@ class MsgText(Enum):
         {template}
         """
 
+    NoDefaultJournal = "No default journal configured\n{journals}"
+
     # --- Journal status ---#
     JournalNotSaved = "Entry NOT saved to journal"
 
diff --git a/jrnl/output.py b/jrnl/output.py
index 8058733f..dc38b255 100644
--- a/jrnl/output.py
+++ b/jrnl/output.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ def list_journals(configuration):
     from . import config
 
     """List the journals specified in the configuration file"""
-    result = f"Journals defined in {config.get_config_path()}\n"
+    result = f"Journals defined in config ({config.get_config_path()})\n"
     ml = min(max(len(k) for k in configuration["journals"]), 20)
     for journal, cfg in configuration["journals"].items():
         result += " * {:{}} -> {}\n".format(