diff --git a/lib/modder/modder_load.go b/lib/modder/modder_load.go
index 05e573c..97a9e10 100644
--- a/lib/modder/modder_load.go
+++ b/lib/modder/modder_load.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package modder
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
+
 	"github.com/go-git/go-billy/v5/osfs"
 )
 
@@ -116,6 +118,11 @@ func (mdr *Modder) LoadModFile() error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	// no file
+	if m.ModFile == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("no %q file found, directory not initialized for %s", mdr.ModFile, mdr.Name)
+	}
+
 	m.Module = m.ModFile.Module.Mod.Path
 
 	return nil