diff --git a/plugins/relay_clientbot.py b/plugins/relay_clientbot.py
index aa6e90e..b4eea42 100644
--- a/plugins/relay_clientbot.py
+++ b/plugins/relay_clientbot.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def cb_relay_core(irc, source, command, args):
         except KeyError:  # User has left due to /quit
             sourcename = args['userdata'].nick
 
-        relay_conf = conf.conf.get('relay', {})
+        relay_conf = conf.conf.get('relay') or {}
 
         # Be less floody on startup: don't relay non-PRIVMSGs for the first X seconds after connect.
         startup_delay = relay_conf.get('clientbot_startup_delay', 20)
@@ -80,8 +80,8 @@ def cb_relay_core(irc, source, command, args):
         # Try to fetch the format for the given command from the relay:clientbot_styles:$command
         # key, falling back to one defined in default_styles above, and then nothing if not found
         # there.
-        text_template = relay_conf.get('clientbot_styles', {}).get(real_command,
-                        default_styles.get(real_command, ''))
+        text_template = (relay_conf.get('clientbot_styles') or {}).get(real_command,
+                                                                       default_styles.get(real_command, ''))
         text_template = string.Template(text_template)
 
         if text_template: