diff --git a/usr/local/bin/bastille b/usr/local/bin/bastille
index 34f43a6f..1fab1637 100755
--- a/usr/local/bin/bastille
+++ b/usr/local/bin/bastille
@@ -45,9 +45,18 @@ bastille_root_check() {
 
 bastille_root_check
 
-## we only load the config if root_check passes
+## check for config existance
+bastille_conf_check() {
+    if [ ! -r /usr/local/etc/bastille/bastille.conf ]; then
+        echo -e "${COLOR_RED}Missing Configuration${COLOR_RESET}" 1>&2
+        exit 1
+    fi
+}
+
+bastille_conf_check
+
+## we only load the config if conf_check passes
 . /usr/local/etc/bastille/bastille.conf
-. /usr/local/share/bastille/colors.pre.sh
 
 ## bastille_prefix should be 0750
 ## this restricts file system access to privileged users
@@ -65,9 +74,6 @@ bastille_perms_check() {
 
 bastille_perms_check
 
-## we only load the config if root_check passes
-. /usr/local/etc/bastille/bastille.conf
-
 ## version
 BASTILLE_VERSION="0.6.20200414"