diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c0fde79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+snapraid-runner.conf
diff --git a/snapraid-runner.conf b/snapraid-runner.conf.example
similarity index 91%
rename from snapraid-runner.conf
rename to snapraid-runner.conf.example
index 3d581f9..419cc41 100644
--- a/snapraid-runner.conf
+++ b/snapraid-runner.conf.example
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ maxsize = 5000
 [email]
 ; when to send an email, comma-separated list of [success, error]
 sendon = success,error
+; set to false to get full programm output via email
+short = true
 subject = [SnapRAID] Status Report:
 from =
 to =
diff --git a/snapraid-runner.py b/snapraid-runner.py
index d7adf64..1227c8f 100644
--- a/snapraid-runner.py
+++ b/snapraid-runner.py
@@ -165,6 +165,11 @@ def main():
                         help="Configuration file (default %(default)s)")
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
+    if not os.path.exists(args.conf):
+        print("snapraid-runner configuration file not found")
+        args.print_help()
+        sys.exit(2)
+
     try:
         load_config(args.conf)
     except: