diff --git a/cmd/gost/cfg.go b/cmd/gost/cfg.go
index 4ac3af3..1c7d98e 100644
--- a/cmd/gost/cfg.go
+++ b/cmd/gost/cfg.go
@@ -38,10 +38,6 @@ func parseBaseConfig(s string) (*baseConfig, error) {
 	return baseCfg, nil
 }
 
-func (cfg *baseConfig) IsValid() bool {
-	return len(cfg.route.ServeNodes) > 0
-}
-
 var (
 	defaultCertFile = "cert.pem"
 	defaultKeyFile  = "key.pem"
diff --git a/cmd/gost/main.go b/cmd/gost/main.go
index 32abfaa..8e01dd3 100644
--- a/cmd/gost/main.go
+++ b/cmd/gost/main.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"crypto/tls"
+	"errors"
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ func init() {
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
 	}
-	if flag.NFlag() == 0 || !baseCfg.IsValid() {
+	if flag.NFlag() == 0 {
 		flag.PrintDefaults()
 		os.Exit(0)
 	}
@@ -97,6 +98,9 @@ func start() error {
 		routers = append(routers, rts...)
 	}
 
+	if len(routers) == 0 {
+		return errors.New("invalid config")
+	}
 	for i := range routers {
 		go routers[i].Serve()
 	}