diff --git a/tools/python/jwutils/Config.py b/tools/python/jwutils/Config.py
index 8efe0c3..a204d58 100644
--- a/tools/python/jwutils/Config.py
+++ b/tools/python/jwutils/Config.py
@@ -113,7 +113,12 @@ class Config(): # export
 
     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) # type: ignore
+            tree = self.__conf.get(path)
+            if tree is None:
+                msg = f'Tried to get non-existent branch "{path}" from config'
+                self.dump(ERR, msg)
+                throw(msg)
+            return Config(tree=tree, parent=self) # type: ignore
         return None
 
     def dump(self, prio: int, *args, **kwargs) -> None: