diff --git a/ulc/client/c_brake.lua b/ulc/client/c_brake.lua
index ed7b1a9..fc148ed 100644
--- a/ulc/client/c_brake.lua
+++ b/ulc/client/c_brake.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 --print("[ULC] Brake Extras Loaded")
 local realBrakeThreshold = 3
 local shouldUseRealBrakes = function()
+    if not MyVehicleConfig then
+        print("[ULC:shouldUseRealBrakes] WARNING: Function called but MyVehicleConfig is not loaded. This function should not be called without a valid configuration.")
+        return false
+    end
     return (MyVehicleConfig.brakeConfig.speedThreshold or 3) <= realBrakeThreshold
 end
 local braking = false
@@ -12,6 +16,10 @@ local braking = false
 local disabledExtras = {}
 
 local function setBrakeExtras(newState)
+    if not MyVehicleConfig then
+        print("[ULC:setBrakeExtras] WARNING: Function called but MyVehicleConfig is not loaded. This function should not be called without a valid configuration.")
+        return
+    end
     for _, v in pairs(MyVehicleConfig.brakeConfig.brakeExtras) do
         local currentState
         if IsVehicleExtraTurnedOn(MyVehicle, v) then currentState = 0 else currentState = 1 end
@@ -63,7 +71,7 @@ if shouldUseRealBrakes then
                 sleep = 1000
                 goto continue
             end
-            if not MyVehicleConfig.brakeConfig.useBrakes then
+            if not MyVehicleConfig or not MyVehicleConfig.brakeConfig.useBrakes then
                 sleep = 1000
                 goto continue
             end
@@ -87,7 +95,7 @@ if shouldUseRealBrakes then
         Wait(0)      -- Nedded as GetEntityFromStateBagName sometimes returns 0 on first frame
         mode = "RBL" -- set mode to RBL to disable manual checking
         if not MyVehicle then return end
-        if not MyVehicleConfig.brakeConfig.useBrakes then return end
+        if not MyVehicleConfig or not MyVehicleConfig.brakeConfig.useBrakes then return end
         local vehicle = GetEntityFromStateBagName(bagName)
         --print("state changed for vehicle")
         if vehicle == 0 or vehicle ~= MyVehicle then return end
@@ -105,7 +113,7 @@ end
 -- pressed brakes
 RegisterCommand('+ulc:brakePattern', function()
     braking = true
-    if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig.brakeConfig.useBrakes then
+    if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig and MyVehicleConfig.brakeConfig.useBrakes then
         if GetVehicleCurrentGear(MyVehicle) == 0 then return end -- disable while reversing
         --print("Enabling brakes")
         local speed = GetVehicleSpeedConverted(MyVehicle)
@@ -122,7 +130,7 @@ end)
 
 RegisterCommand('-ulc:brakePattern', function()
     braking = false
-    if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig.brakeConfig.useBrakes then
+    if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig and MyVehicleConfig.brakeConfig.useBrakes then
         local speed = GetVehicleSpeedConverted(MyVehicle)
         if shouldUseRealBrakes() and speed < realBrakeThreshold then return end
         --print("Disabling brakes")
diff --git a/ulc/client/c_buttons.lua b/ulc/client/c_buttons.lua
index cb529c7..27e6ab3 100644
--- a/ulc/client/c_buttons.lua
+++ b/ulc/client/c_buttons.lua
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@
 -------------------
 
 function GetExtraByKey(key)
+    if not MyVehicleConfig then
+        print("[ULC:GetExtraByKey] ERROR: MyVehicleConfig is not loaded. This usually means there's a syntax error in your ulc.lua file. Check server console for details.")
+        return nil
+    end
     local result = nil
     for _, v in pairs(MyVehicleConfig.buttons) do
         if v.key == key then
@@ -17,6 +21,10 @@ function GetExtraByKey(key)
 end
 
 function GetButtonByExtra(extra)
+    if not MyVehicleConfig then
+        print("[ULC:GetButtonByExtra] ERROR: MyVehicleConfig is not loaded. This usually means there's a syntax error in your ulc.lua file. Check server console for details.")
+        return nil
+    end
     local result = nil
     for _, v in pairs(MyVehicleConfig.buttons) do
         if v.extra == extra then
@@ -126,7 +134,7 @@ function ULC:SetStage(extra, action, playSound, extraOnly, repair, forceChange,
         ----------------------
         -- smart stages stuff
         local key = button.key
-        if MyVehicleConfig.stages then
+        if MyVehicleConfig and MyVehicleConfig.stages then
             local keyStage = contains(MyVehicleConfig.stages.stageKeys, key) -- find whether MyVehicleConfig.stages.stageKeys contain the key
 
             -- # TODO we're not getting here for some reason when cycling stages at max stage
diff --git a/ulc/client/c_cruise.lua b/ulc/client/c_cruise.lua
index d621fe8..64e51f8 100644
--- a/ulc/client/c_cruise.lua
+++ b/ulc/client/c_cruise.lua
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@ local sbState = 1
 
 -- 0 on, 1 off
 local function setCruiseLights(newState)
+    if not MyVehicleConfig then
+        print("[ULC:setCruiseLights] WARNING: Function called but MyVehicleConfig is not loaded. This function should not be called without a valid configuration.")
+        return
+    end
     sbState = newState
     for _, v in pairs(MyVehicleConfig.steadyBurnConfig.sbExtras) do
         --print("Setting cruise lights extra: " .. v)
@@ -13,6 +17,10 @@ local function setCruiseLights(newState)
 end
 
 local function getSteadyBurnState()
+    if not MyVehicleConfig then
+        print("[ULC:getSteadyBurnState] WARNING: Function called but MyVehicleConfig is not loaded. This function should not be called without a valid configuration.")
+        return 1
+    end
     if IsVehicleExtraTurnedOn(MyVehicle, MyVehicleConfig.steadyBurnConfig.sbExtras[1]) then
         return 0
     else
@@ -33,14 +41,14 @@ end)
 
 AddEventHandler('ulc:lightsOn', function()
     --print("Lights on")
-    if MyVehicle and (MyVehicleConfig.steadyBurnConfig.disableWithLights or false) then
+    if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig and (MyVehicleConfig.steadyBurnConfig.disableWithLights or false) then
         setCruiseLights(1)
     end
 end)
 
 AddEventHandler('ulc:lightsOff', function()
     --print("Lights off")
-    if MyVehicle and (MyVehicleConfig.steadyBurnConfig.disableWithLights or false) then
+    if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig and (MyVehicleConfig.steadyBurnConfig.disableWithLights or false) then
         TriggerEvent('ulc:CheckCruise')
     end
 end)
@@ -48,6 +56,10 @@ end)
 AddEventHandler('ulc:CheckCruise', function()
     sbState = getSteadyBurnState()
     if not MyVehicle then return end
+    if not MyVehicleConfig then
+        print("[ULC:CheckCruise] WARNING: Event handler called but MyVehicleConfig is not loaded. This should not happen.")
+        return
+    end
 
     if Entity(MyVehicle).state.ulc_blackout == 0 then
         -- print("Blackout is on, disabling cruise lights")
diff --git a/ulc/client/c_doors.lua b/ulc/client/c_doors.lua
index d38c655..8b03c2c 100644
--- a/ulc/client/c_doors.lua
+++ b/ulc/client/c_doors.lua
@@ -17,6 +17,10 @@ end
 
 -- state 1 = closed, state 0 = open
 local function onDoorStateChange(door, newDoorState)
+    if not MyVehicleConfig then
+        print("[ULC:onDoorStateChange] WARNING: Function called but MyVehicleConfig is not loaded. This function should not be called without a valid configuration.")
+        return
+    end
     --print("Handling door change", door, newDoorState)
     if door == 0 or door == 2 then -- if driver side
         for _, v in pairs(MyVehicleConfig.doorConfig.driverSide.enable) do
@@ -54,7 +58,7 @@ CreateThread(function()
             sleep = 1000
             goto continue
         end
-        if not MyVehicleConfig.doorConfig or false then
+        if not MyVehicleConfig or not MyVehicleConfig.doorConfig or false then
             sleep = 1000
             goto continue
         end
diff --git a/ulc/client/c_horn.lua b/ulc/client/c_horn.lua
index cb564fb..9c34327 100644
--- a/ulc/client/c_horn.lua
+++ b/ulc/client/c_horn.lua
@@ -53,13 +53,13 @@ RegisterCommand('+ulc:horn', function()
     --print('horn')
     extraStates = {}
 
-    if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig.hornConfig.useHorn then
+    if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig and MyVehicleConfig.hornConfig.useHorn then
         SetHornExtras(0)
     end
 end)
 
 RegisterCommand('-ulc:horn', function()
-    if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig.hornConfig.useHorn then
+    if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig and MyVehicleConfig.hornConfig.useHorn then
         SetHornExtras(1)
     end
 end)
diff --git a/ulc/client/c_park.lua b/ulc/client/c_park.lua
index 519e346..4fea768 100644
--- a/ulc/client/c_park.lua
+++ b/ulc/client/c_park.lua
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ AddEventHandler('ulc:vehPark', function()
         --print('[ulc:vehPark] My vehicle is parked.')
         parked = true
 
-        if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig.parkConfig.usePark then
+        if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig and MyVehicleConfig.parkConfig.usePark then
             -- enable pExtras
             for _, v in pairs(MyVehicleConfig.parkConfig.pExtras) do
                 ULC:SetStage(v, 0, false, true, false, false, true, false)
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ AddEventHandler('ulc:vehDrive', function()
     if Lights then
         --print('[ulc:vehDrive] My vehicle is driving.')
         parked = false
-        if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig.parkConfig.usePark then
+        if MyVehicle and MyVehicleConfig and MyVehicleConfig.parkConfig.usePark then
             -- disable pExtras
             for _, v in pairs(MyVehicleConfig.parkConfig.pExtras) do
                 ULC:SetStage(v, 1, false, true, false, false, true, false)
diff --git a/ulc/client/c_reverse.lua b/ulc/client/c_reverse.lua
index b6e3f7b..383a311 100644
--- a/ulc/client/c_reverse.lua
+++ b/ulc/client/c_reverse.lua
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@ local disabledExtras = {}
 local timerExpired = false
 
 function setReverseExtras(newState)
+    if not MyVehicleConfig then
+        print("[ULC:setReverseExtras] WARNING: Function called but MyVehicleConfig is not loaded. This function should not be called without a valid configuration.")
+        return
+    end
     -- set enable extras to match the new state
     for _, v in ipairs(MyVehicleConfig.reverseConfig.reverseExtras) do
         ULC:SetStage(v, newState, false, true, false, false, true, false)
@@ -36,6 +40,7 @@ AddEventHandler('ulc:StartCheckingReverseState', function()
             if not IsPedInAnyVehicle(PlayerPedId()) then return end
             -- this feels unncessary, but I think some people may not have .reverseConfig
             if not MyVehicle then return end
+            if not MyVehicleConfig then return end
             if not MyVehicleConfig.reverseConfig then return end
             if not MyVehicleConfig.reverseConfig.useReverse then return end
             local gear = GetVehicleCurrentGear(MyVehicle)
diff --git a/ulc/client/c_signals.lua b/ulc/client/c_signals.lua
index 871aa6c..3a763f2 100644
--- a/ulc/client/c_signals.lua
+++ b/ulc/client/c_signals.lua
@@ -4,6 +4,12 @@ local combinedExtrasTable = {}
 AddEventHandler("ulc:SetupSignalExtrasTable", function()
   print('[ulc:SetupSignalExtrasTable] Setting up signal extras table')
 
+  if not MyVehicleConfig then
+    print("[ULC:SetupSignalExtrasTable] WARNING: Event handler called but MyVehicleConfig is not loaded. This should not happen.")
+    return
+  end
+  if not MyVehicleConfig.signalConfig then return end
+
   local extras = {}
 
 
@@ -41,6 +47,11 @@ IndicatorState = 0
 local savedExtraStates = {}
 
 local function saveExtraStates()
+  if not MyVehicleConfig then
+    print("[ULC:saveExtraStates] WARNING: Function called but MyVehicleConfig is not loaded. This function should not be called without a valid configuration.")
+    return
+  end
+  if not MyVehicleConfig.signalConfig then return end
   -- get states of all extras listed in signalConfig
   local extras = {}
   for _, side in pairs({ "left", "right", "hazard" }) do
diff --git a/ulc/client/c_stages.lua b/ulc/client/c_stages.lua
index 25e2fe9..85536b6 100644
--- a/ulc/client/c_stages.lua
+++ b/ulc/client/c_stages.lua
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ currentStage = 0
 -- helpers
 local function checks()
   if not MyVehicle then return false end
+  if not MyVehicleConfig then return false end
   if not MyVehicleConfig.stages then return false end
   if not MyVehicleConfig.stages.useStages then return false end
   if not MyVehicleConfig.stages.stageKeys then return false end
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ end
 
 function getMaxStage()
   if not MyVehicle then return end
+  if not MyVehicleConfig then return end
   if not MyVehicleConfig.stages then return end
   if not MyVehicleConfig.stages.stageKeys then return end
   return #MyVehicleConfig.stages.stageKeys
@@ -122,7 +124,9 @@ end)
 function getStageFromButton(button)
   if not button then return false end
   if not MyVehicle then return false end
-  -- if MyVehicleConfig.stages.stageKeys is nil or doesn't contain the button.key return false
+  if not MyVehicleConfig then return false end
+  if not MyVehicleConfig.stages then return false end
+  -- if stageKeys doesn't exist or doesn't contain the button.key return false
   if not MyVehicleConfig.stages.stageKeys then return false end
   for i, key in pairs(MyVehicleConfig.stages.stageKeys) do
     if key == button.key then
@@ -134,6 +138,10 @@ end
 
 function setDefaultStages()
   -- default stages
+  if not MyVehicleConfig then
+    print("[ULC:setDefaultStages] WARNING: Function called but MyVehicleConfig is not loaded. This function should not be called without a valid configuration.")
+    return
+  end
   if not MyVehicleConfig.defaultStages or false then return end
   if not MyVehicleConfig.defaultStages.useDefaults then return end
   for _, e in pairs(MyVehicleConfig.defaultStages.enableKeys) do
diff --git a/ulc/server/s_main.lua b/ulc/server/s_main.lua
index 4348db2..a90adba 100644
--- a/ulc/server/s_main.lua
+++ b/ulc/server/s_main.lua
@@ -327,7 +327,8 @@ local function LoadExternalVehicleConfig(resourceName)
   local f, err = load(data)
   if err then
     TriggerEvent("ulc:error",
-      '^1Could not load external configuration in: "' .. resourceName .. '"; error: "' .. err .. '"^0')
+      '^1Could not load external configuration in: "' .. resourceName .. '"; SYNTAX ERROR: ' .. err .. '^0')
+    print("^3[ULC] HINT: Check the ulc.lua file in '" .. resourceName .. "' for syntax errors like missing commas, brackets, or quotes.^0")
     return
   end
   if not f or not f() then