diff --git a/SkywarnPlus.py b/SkywarnPlus.py
index c635b85..b2ca2b8 100644
--- a/SkywarnPlus.py
+++ b/SkywarnPlus.py
@@ -375,10 +375,16 @@ def get_alerts(countyCodes):
         LOGGER.debug("getAlerts: Using effective time for alerting")
         time_type_start = "effective"
         time_type_end = "expires"
-    else:
+    elif timetype_mode == "onset":
         LOGGER.debug("getAlerts: Using onset time for alerting")
         time_type_start = "onset"
         time_type_end = "ends"
+    else:
+        LOGGER.error(
+            "getAlerts: Invalid TimeType specified in config.yaml. Using onset time instead."
+        )
+        time_type_start = "onset"
+        time_type_end = "ends"
 
     for countyCode in countyCodes:
         url = "https://api.weather.gov/alerts/active?zone={}".format(countyCode)