diff --git a/tools/python/jwutils/Config.py b/tools/python/jwutils/Config.py
index 24788dc..f2ac485 100644
--- a/tools/python/jwutils/Config.py
+++ b/tools/python/jwutils/Config.py
@@ -141,13 +141,16 @@ class Config(): # export
     def value(self, key: str, default = None) -> Optional[str]:
         return self.get(key, default)
 
-    def branch(self, path: str): # type: ignore # Optional[Config]: FIXME: Don't know how to get hold of this type here
+    def branch(self, path: str, throw: bool=True): # type: ignore # Optional[Config]: FIXME: Don't know how to get hold of this type here
         if self.__conf:
             tree = self.__conf.get(path)
             if tree is None:
                 msg = f'Tried to get non-existent branch "{path}" from config'
+                if not throw:
+                    slog(DEBUG, msg)
+                    return None
                 self.dump(ERR, msg)
-                throw(msg)
+                raise Exception(msg)
             return Config(tree=tree, parent=self) # type: ignore
         return None