diff --git a/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py b/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py
index 25190c6..3f2e768 100644
--- a/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py
+++ b/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py
@@ -82,6 +82,12 @@ class CfgYaml:
         self.log = Logger()
         self.dirty = False
 
+        if not os.path.exists(path):
+            err = 'invalid config path: \"{}\"'.format(path)
+            if self.debug:
+                self.log.dbg(err)
+            raise YamlException(err)
+
         self.yaml_dict = self._load_yaml(self.path)
         # live patch deprecated entries
         self._fix_deprecated(self.yaml_dict)
diff --git a/dotdrop/options.py b/dotdrop/options.py
index 3e8b7c5..291384e 100644
--- a/dotdrop/options.py
+++ b/dotdrop/options.py
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ class Options(AttrMonitor):
         if os.path.exists(path):
             return path
 
-        return None
+        return ''
 
     def _header(self):
         """display the header"""