diff --git a/lib/ansible/cli/config.py b/lib/ansible/cli/config.py
index 17a67584f9..170b95adfa 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/cli/config.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/cli/config.py
@@ -73,18 +73,23 @@ class ConfigCLI(CLI):
         else:
             self.config = ConfigManager()
             self.config_file = find_ini_config_file()
-        try:
-            if not os.path.exists(self.config_file):
-                raise AnsibleOptionsError("%s does not exist or is not accessible" % (self.config_file))
-            elif not os.path.isfile(self.config_file):
-                raise AnsibleOptionsError("%s is not a valid file" % (self.config_file))
 
-            os.environ['ANSIBLE_CONFIG'] = to_native(self.config_file)
-        except:
-            if self.action in ['view']:
-                raise
-            elif self.action in ['edit', 'update']:
-                display.warning("File does not exist, used empty file: %s" % self.config_file)
+        if self.config_file:
+            try:
+                if not os.path.exists(self.config_file):
+                    raise AnsibleOptionsError("%s does not exist or is not accessible" % (self.config_file))
+                elif not os.path.isfile(self.config_file):
+                    raise AnsibleOptionsError("%s is not a valid file" % (self.config_file))
+
+                os.environ['ANSIBLE_CONFIG'] = to_native(self.config_file)
+            except:
+                if self.action in ['view']:
+                    raise
+                elif self.action in ['edit', 'update']:
+                    display.warning("File does not exist, used empty file: %s" % self.config_file)
+
+        elif self.action == 'view':
+            raise AnsibleError('Invalid or no config file was supplied')
 
         self.execute()