diff --git a/lib/octopus/abstract_adapter.rb b/lib/octopus/abstract_adapter.rb
index f6ce7956..646f2272 100644
--- a/lib/octopus/abstract_adapter.rb
+++ b/lib/octopus/abstract_adapter.rb
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ def method_missing(meth, *args, &block)
       end
 
       def octopus_shard
-        @config[:octopus_shard]
+        @config && @config[:octopus_shard]
       end
 
       def initialize(*args)