diff --git a/cmd/syncthing/cli/utils.go b/cmd/syncthing/cli/utils.go
index c495458e1..3c363cd1b 100644
--- a/cmd/syncthing/cli/utils.go
+++ b/cmd/syncthing/cli/utils.go
@@ -105,8 +105,8 @@ func getConfig(c APIClient) (config.Configuration, error) {
 		return cfg, err
 	}
 	err = json.Unmarshal(bytes, &cfg)
-	if err == nil {
-		return cfg, err
+	if err != nil {
+		return config.Configuration{}, err
 	}
 	return cfg, nil
 }