diff --git a/tailbone/views/common.py b/tailbone/views/common.py
index f72b01e4..98dfd6ce 100644
--- a/tailbone/views/common.py
+++ b/tailbone/views/common.py
@@ -117,13 +117,13 @@ class CommonView(View):
 
     @classmethod
     def defaults(cls, config):
-        rattail_config = config.registry.settings['rattail_config']
+        rattail_config = config.registry.settings.get('rattail_config')
 
         # auto-correct URLs which require trailing slash
         config.add_notfound_view(cls, attr='notfound', append_slash=True)
 
         # exception
-        if rattail_config.production():
+        if rattail_config and rattail_config.production():
             config.add_exception_view(cls, attr='exception', renderer='/exception.mako')
 
         # home