diff --git a/tools/clean_svg.py b/tools/clean_svg.py
index f5d388a2..1163b3d2 100755
--- a/tools/clean_svg.py
+++ b/tools/clean_svg.py
@@ -344,6 +344,8 @@ def clean_svg(root, tabletname):
         config.read(args.filename)
         try:
             svgname = config["Device"]["Layout"]
+            if not svgname:
+                raise KeyError("Empty layout line")
         except KeyError:
             print(
                 f"{args.filename} does not specify a layout, skipping", file=sys.stderr