diff --git a/src/conf.py b/src/conf.py
index b3518e9dd..f28419ba8 100644
--- a/src/conf.py
+++ b/src/conf.py
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@ def get(group, channel=None):
     if channel is None or not group.channelValue:
         return group()
     else:
+        assert ircutils.isChannel(channel)
         return group.get(channel)()
 
 ###