diff --git a/core/config-file.cpp b/core/config-file.cpp
index c2638cc..548d351 100644
--- a/core/config-file.cpp
+++ b/core/config-file.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /* -*- Mode:C++; c-file-style:"gnu"; indent-tabs-mode:nil; -*- */
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2014-2017,  Regents of the University of California,
+ * Copyright (c) 2014-2018,  Regents of the University of California,
  *                           Arizona Board of Regents,
  *                           Colorado State University,
  *                           University Pierre & Marie Curie, Sorbonne University,
@@ -123,10 +123,6 @@
 {
   BOOST_ASSERT(!filename.empty());
 
-  if (m_global.begin() == m_global.end()) {
-    BOOST_THROW_EXCEPTION(Error("Error processing configuration file " + filename + ": no data"));
-  }
-
   for (const auto& i : m_global) {
     try {
       const ConfigSectionHandler& subscriber = m_subscriptions.at(i.first);