diff --git a/electrum b/electrum
index 033f72b5..4b2b0c34 100755
--- a/electrum
+++ b/electrum
@@ -403,9 +403,8 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
         constants.set_regtest()
     elif config.get('simnet'):
         constants.set_simnet()
-
-    if config.get('simnet'):
-        constants.set_simnet()
+    else:
+        raise Exception('lightning branch not available on mainnet')
 
     # run non-RPC commands separately
     if cmdname in ['create', 'restore']: