diff --git a/owrx/__main__.py b/owrx/__main__.py
index 9512db86..c8d2dd2f 100644
--- a/owrx/__main__.py
+++ b/owrx/__main__.py
@@ -48,14 +48,9 @@ Support and info:       https://groups.io/g/openwebrx
     for sig in [signal.SIGINT, signal.SIGTERM]:
         signal.signal(sig, handleSignal)
 
-    pm = Config.get()
-
-    configErrors = Config.validateConfig()
-    if configErrors:
-        logger.error("your configuration contains errors. please address the following errors:")
-        for e in configErrors:
-            logger.error(e)
-        return
+    # config warmup
+    Config.validateConfig()
+    coreConfig = CoreConfig()
 
     featureDetector = FeatureDetector()
     if not featureDetector.is_available("core"):
@@ -73,7 +68,7 @@ Support and info:       https://groups.io/g/openwebrx
     Services.start()
 
     try:
-        server = ThreadedHttpServer(("0.0.0.0", CoreConfig().get_web_port()), RequestHandler)
+        server = ThreadedHttpServer(("0.0.0.0", coreConfig.get_web_port()), RequestHandler)
         server.serve_forever()
     except SignalException:
         WebSocketConnection.closeAll()
diff --git a/owrx/config.py b/owrx/config.py
index 7761a11a..89efd2ad 100644
--- a/owrx/config.py
+++ b/owrx/config.py
@@ -14,13 +14,9 @@ class ConfigNotFoundException(Exception):
     pass
 
 
-class ConfigError(object):
+class ConfigError(Exception):
     def __init__(self, key, message):
-        self.key = key
-        self.message = message
-
-    def __str__(self):
-        return "Configuration Error (key: {0}): {1}".format(self.key, self.message)
+        super().__init__("Configuration Error (key: {0}): {1}".format(key, message))
 
 
 class ConfigMigrator(ABC):
@@ -167,8 +163,9 @@ class Config:
 
     @staticmethod
     def validateConfig():
-        # no config check atm
-        return []
+        # no config checks atm
+        # just basic loading verification
+        Config.get()
 
     @staticmethod
     def _migrate(config):