diff --git a/chain.go b/chain.go
index 105f500..3f05aae 100644
--- a/chain.go
+++ b/chain.go
@@ -86,6 +86,9 @@ func (c *ProxyChain) Init() {
 		if err != nil {
 			glog.V(LWARNING).Infoln("[kcp]", err)
 		}
+		if config == nil {
+			config = DefaultKCPConfig
+		}
 		if c.nodes[0].Users != nil {
 			config.Crypt = c.nodes[0].Users[0].Username()
 			config.Key, _ = c.nodes[0].Users[0].Password()
diff --git a/server.go b/server.go
index 3b40988..955dd2f 100644
--- a/server.go
+++ b/server.go
@@ -94,6 +94,9 @@ func (s *ProxyServer) Serve() error {
 		if err != nil {
 			glog.V(LWARNING).Infoln("[kcp]", err)
 		}
+		if config == nil {
+			config = DefaultKCPConfig
+		}
 		// override crypt and key if specified explicitly
 		if s.Node.Users != nil {
 			config.Crypt = s.Node.Users[0].Username()