diff --git a/backup_new.sh b/backup_new.sh
index 2ca163f..39be447 100755
--- a/backup_new.sh
+++ b/backup_new.sh
@@ -17,6 +17,15 @@ mag=$(tput setaf 5)
 
 ### functions
 
+# bad configuration value passed in details file
+badDetails () {
+    if [ "$1" = "empty" ]; then
+        exitError 130 "details:${2} cannot be NULL (undefined)"
+    elif [ "$1" = "dne" ]; then
+        exitError 131 "details:${2} file or directory does not exist."
+    fi
+}
+
 # bad parameter passed to script
 badParam () {
     if [ "$1" = "dne" ]; then