diff --git a/config/config_blast.rb b/config/config_blast.rb
index 32df35b..6310107 100644
--- a/config/config_blast.rb
+++ b/config/config_blast.rb
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ def reload_config(config_path = nil)
     logger.info 'Loads user configuration:'
     logger.info "  #{config_path}"
     user_hash = YAML.load_file(@store.config.user)
-    unless user_hash['format']['specifiers'].nil?
+    if !user_hash['format'].nil? && !user_hash['format']['specifiers'].nil?
       @store.format.specifiers = Configatron::Store.new(@store)
     end
     @store.configure_from_hash(user_hash)