diff --git a/SparkleLib/SparkleListenerIrc.cs b/SparkleLib/SparkleListenerIrc.cs
index 7a998b38..0f9d1472 100644
--- a/SparkleLib/SparkleListenerIrc.cs
+++ b/SparkleLib/SparkleListenerIrc.cs
@@ -49,9 +49,8 @@ namespace SparkleLib {
 
             // Option to allow access to channel when no password is defined
             try {
-                this.allow_passwordless_join = Convert.ToBoolean (
-                    SparkleConfig.DefaultConfig.GetConfigOption ("allow_passwordless_join"));
-
+                string option = SparkleConfig.DefaultConfig.GetConfigOption ("allow_passwordless_join");
+                this.allow_passwordless_join = option==null || Convert.ToBoolean (option);
             } catch (Exception) {
                 this.allow_passwordless_join = true;
             }
@@ -141,6 +140,9 @@ namespace SparkleLib {
 
                                 } else {
                                     SparkleHelpers.DebugInfo ("ListenerIrc", "Dangerous channel, change the setting to access");
+                                    base.is_connecting = false;
+                                    OnDisconnected ();
+                                    throw new ConnectionException ("Dangerous channel, change the setting to access");
                                 }
                             }