diff --git a/agenda/__init__.py b/agenda/__init__.py
index 8e68ae5..e12de12 100644
--- a/agenda/__init__.py
+++ b/agenda/__init__.py
@@ -37,8 +37,12 @@ now_utc = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
 next_us_presidential_election = date(2024, 11, 5)
 next_uk_general_election = date(2024, 5, 2)
 
+config_filename = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "config")
+
+assert os.path.exists(config_filename)
+
 config = configparser.ConfigParser()
-config.read(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "config"))
+config.read(config_filename)
 
 access_key = config.get("exchangerate", "access_key")
 data_dir = config.get("data", "dir")