diff --git a/src/yaml_utils.cpp b/src/yaml_utils.cpp
index 062a7f3..e0caa78 100644
--- a/src/yaml_utils.cpp
+++ b/src/yaml_utils.cpp
@@ -211,8 +211,11 @@ filesystem::path findFileRecursive(const std::string& name_with_extension, const
     }
     std::string folders_str;
     for (auto folder : folders) folders_str += folder + ", ";
-    folders_str.pop_back();
-    folders_str.back() = '.';
+    if (not folders_str.empty())
+    {
+        folders_str.pop_back();
+        folders_str.back() = '.';
+    }
     throw std::runtime_error("File '" + name_with_extension + "' not found in provided folders: " + folders_str);
 }