diff --git a/analytics/config.py b/analytics/config.py
index fd0ae65..c4b2b2e 100644
--- a/analytics/config.py
+++ b/analytics/config.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ def get_config_field(field, default_val = None):
     if field in os.environ:
         return os.environ[field]
 
-    if config_exists and field in config:
+    if config_exists and field in config and config[field] != '':
         return config[field]
 
     if default_val is not None:
diff --git a/server/src/config.ts b/server/src/config.ts
index 652755d..46349b9 100644
--- a/server/src/config.ts
+++ b/server/src/config.ts
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ function getConfigField(field: string, defaultVal?: any) {
     }
   }
 
-  if(val === undefined) {
+  if(val === undefined || val == '') {
     throw new Error(`Please configure ${field}`);
   }
   return val;