diff --git a/init.js b/init.js
index decf2cb..1a7a51b 100644
--- a/init.js
+++ b/init.js
@@ -17,6 +17,11 @@ var algos = require('stratum-pool/lib/algoProperties.js');
 
 JSON.minify = JSON.minify || require("node-json-minify");
 
+if (!fs.existsSync('config.json')){
+    console.log('config.json file does not exist. Read the installation/setup instructions.');
+    return;
+}
+
 var portalConfig = JSON.parse(JSON.minify(fs.readFileSync("config.json", {encoding: 'utf8'})));