diff --git a/gate.lua b/gate.lua
index 89f7e5b..671d94c 100644
--- a/gate.lua
+++ b/gate.lua
@@ -1427,7 +1427,7 @@ while true do
     pcall(function()
       refreshRemoteLuaVersion(guessBaseFromStatusURL(serverURL))
     end)
-    if type(cfg.force_update) == "boolean" and cfg.force_update == true and versionMismatch == true then
+    if type(cfg) == "table" and type(cfg.force_update) == "boolean" and cfg.force_update == true and versionMismatch == true then
       pendingGateUpdate = true
     end
 
diff --git a/ticketmachine.lua b/ticketmachine.lua
index ce9281f..98e07aa 100644
--- a/ticketmachine.lua
+++ b/ticketmachine.lua
@@ -681,7 +681,7 @@ local function backgroundSyncTask()
     sleep(UPDATE_CHECK_INTERVAL)
     pcall(refreshConfigOnce)
     
-    if type(CFG.force_update) == 'boolean' and CFG.force_update == true and versionMismatch == true then
+    if type(cfg) == 'table' and type(cfg.force_update) == 'boolean' and cfg.force_update == true and versionMismatch == true then
       pendingMachineUpdate = true
     end
   end