diff --git a/dialog.py b/dialog.py
index cf4c291..d882e8a 100755
--- a/dialog.py
+++ b/dialog.py
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ if not os.path.isfile("userEnv.py"):
   copyfile("userEnv.py.template", "userEnv.py")
 try:
     from userEnv import dunikey, pod
+    if dunikey == "":
+        raise ValueError("Dunikey is empty")
 except:
     sys.stderr.write("Please fill the path to your private key (PubSec), and a Cesium ES address in userEnv.py\n")
     sys.exit(1)
diff --git a/lib/cesiumMessaging.py b/lib/cesiumMessaging.py
index 84c0e42..6e3a6f8 100755
--- a/lib/cesiumMessaging.py
+++ b/lib/cesiumMessaging.py
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ class ReadFromCesium:
         # Get my pubkey from my private key
         try:
             self.dunikey = dunikey
+            if dunikey == "":
+                raise ValueError("Dunikey is empty")
         except:
             sys.stderr.write("Please fill the path to your private key (PubSec)\n")
             sys.exit(1)