diff --git a/autotests/util/hostapd.py b/autotests/util/hostapd.py
index 8af32e0d..209d8c24 100644
--- a/autotests/util/hostapd.py
+++ b/autotests/util/hostapd.py
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ class HostapdCLI:
                     interface = intf
                     break
 
+        if not interface:
+            raise Exception('config %s not found' % config)
+
         self.ifname = interface.name
         self.socket_path = os.path.dirname(interface.ctrl_interface)