diff --git a/tailbone/menus.py b/tailbone/menus.py
index 46f5c62a..8b432879 100644
--- a/tailbone/menus.py
+++ b/tailbone/menus.py
@@ -351,7 +351,11 @@ def make_menu_entry(request, item):
     }
     if item.get('route'):
         entry['route'] = item['route']
-        entry['url'] = request.route_url(entry['route'])
+        try:
+            entry['url'] = request.route_url(entry['route'])
+        except KeyError:        # happens if no such route
+            log.warning("invalid route name for menu entry: %s", entry)
+            entry['url'] = entry['route']
         entry['key'] = entry['route']
     else:
         if item.get('url'):