diff --git a/tools/python/jwutils/Config.py b/tools/python/jwutils/Config.py
index 1e8d0cb..4955793 100644
--- a/tools/python/jwutils/Config.py
+++ b/tools/python/jwutils/Config.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class Config(): # export
         return ret
 
     def __init__(self, search_dirs: Optional[list[str]]=None, glob_paths: Optional[list[str]]=None,
-                 defaults: Dict[str, str]=None, tree: Optional[StringTree]=None, parent=None,
+                 defaults: Optional[Dict[str, str]]=None, tree: Optional[StringTree]=None, parent=None,
                  root_section=None) -> None:
 
         self.__parent = parent
@@ -77,14 +77,15 @@ class Config(): # export
             self.__conf = self.__load(search_dirs=search_dirs, glob_paths=glob_paths)
 
         if root_section is not None:
-            self.__conf = self.__conf.get(root_section)
-            if self.__conf is None: 
-                self.__conf = StringTree("", "")
+            tmp = self.__conf.get(root_section)
+            if tmp is None:
+                tmp = StringTree("", "")
+            self.__conf = tmp
 
         if defaults is not None:
             for key, val in defaults.items():
                 if self.__conf.get(key) is None:
-                    self.__conf.set(key, val)
+                    self.__conf[key] = val
 
         self.__conf.dump(DEBUG, "superposed configuration")
 
@@ -108,9 +109,9 @@ class Config(): # export
     def value(self, key: str, default = None) -> Optional[str]:
         return self.get(key, default)
 
-    def branch(self, path: str) -> Optional[StringTree]:
+    def branch(self, path: str): # type: ignore # Optional[Config]: FIXME: Don't know how to get hold of this type here
         if self.__conf:
-            return Config(tree=self.__conf.get(path), parent=self)
+            return Config(tree=self.__conf.get(path), parent=self) # type: ignore
         return None
 
     def dump(self, prio: int, *args, **kwargs) -> None:
diff --git a/tools/python/jwutils/log.py b/tools/python/jwutils/log.py
index a9a0214..25f757f 100644
--- a/tools/python/jwutils/log.py
+++ b/tools/python/jwutils/log.py
@@ -93,9 +93,10 @@ def prio_gets_logged(prio: int) -> bool: # export
         return False
     return True
 
-def log_level(s: str=None) -> int: # export
+def log_level(s: Optional[str]=None) -> int: # export
     if s is None:
         return _level
+    return parse_log_prio_str(s)
 
 def get_caller_pos(up: int = 1, kwargs: Optional[dict[str, Any]] = None) -> Tuple[str, int]:
     if kwargs and 'caller' in kwargs: