diff --git a/repeater/main.py b/repeater/main.py
index 7812ede..ef11e51 100644
--- a/repeater/main.py
+++ b/repeater/main.py
@@ -293,8 +293,11 @@ def main():
     config_path = args.config if args.config else '/etc/pymc_repeater/config.yaml'
 
     if args.log_level:
+        if "logging" not in config:
+            config["logging"] = {}
         config["logging"]["level"] = args.log_level
 
+
     # Don't initialize radio here - it will be done inside the async event loop
     daemon = RepeaterDaemon(config, radio=None)
     daemon.config_path = config_path