diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 279284fbc..d350d3a63 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.clawd.bot
 - Signal: add typing indicators and DM read receipts via signal-cli.
 
 ### Fixes
+- Config: avoid stack traces for invalid configs and log the config path.
 - Doctor: warn when gateway.mode is unset with configure/config guidance.
 - macOS: include Textual syntax highlighting resources in packaged app to prevent chat crashes. (#1362)
 - UI: refresh debug panel on route-driven tab changes. (#1373) Thanks @yazinsai.
diff --git a/src/config/io.ts b/src/config/io.ts
index d275d3185..6994e4485 100644
--- a/src/config/io.ts
+++ b/src/config/io.ts
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ export function createConfigIO(overrides: ConfigIoDeps = {}) {
           .join("\n");
         if (!loggedInvalidConfigs.has(configPath)) {
           loggedInvalidConfigs.add(configPath);
-          deps.logger.error(`Invalid config:\\n${details}`);
+          deps.logger.error(`Invalid config at ${configPath}:\\n${details}`);
         }
         const error = new Error("Invalid config");
         (error as { code?: string; details?: string }).code = "INVALID_CONFIG";
@@ -299,6 +299,10 @@ export function createConfigIO(overrides: ConfigIoDeps = {}) {
         deps.logger.error(err.message);
         throw err;
       }
+      const error = err as { code?: string };
+      if (error?.code === "INVALID_CONFIG") {
+        return {};
+      }
       deps.logger.error(`Failed to read config at ${configPath}`, err);
       return {};
     }