diff --git a/src/config_utils.py b/src/config_utils.py
index fb0b2ccf..4861827c 100644
--- a/src/config_utils.py
+++ b/src/config_utils.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from validate import Validator, ValidateError
 import os
 import string
 from logging import getLogger
+from wxUI import commonMessageDialogs
 log = getLogger("config_utils")
 
 class ConfigLoadError(Exception): pass
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ def load_config(config_path, configspec_path=None, copy=True, *args, **kwargs):
         return config
     else:
         log.exception("Error in config file: {0}".format(validated,))
+        commonMessageDialogs.invalid_configuration()
 
 def is_blank(arg):
     "Check if a line is blank."
diff --git a/src/wxUI/commonMessageDialogs.py b/src/wxUI/commonMessageDialogs.py
index 277ceca7..1f4a77e6 100644
--- a/src/wxUI/commonMessageDialogs.py
+++ b/src/wxUI/commonMessageDialogs.py
@@ -91,5 +91,9 @@ def existing_filter():
 def common_error(reason):
     return wx.MessageDialog(None, reason, _(u"Error"), wx.OK).ShowModal()
 
+  def invalid_configuration():
+    return wx.MessageDialog(None, _("The configuration file is invalid."), _("Error"), wx.ICON_ERROR).ShowModal()
+
 def dead_pid():
     return wx.MessageDialog(None, _(u"{0} quit unexpectedly the last time it was run. If the problem persists, please report it to the {0} developers.").format(application.name), _(u"Warning"), wx.OK).ShowModal()
+