diff --git a/tests/test_config_utils.py b/tests/test_config_utils.py
index ea58f61a..bce2c9a8 100644
--- a/tests/test_config_utils.py
+++ b/tests/test_config_utils.py
@@ -229,6 +229,13 @@ def test_file_config():
     assert config == {}
 
 
+def test_invalid_file_config():
+    from bigchaindb.config_utils import file_config, CONFIG_DEFAULT_PATH
+    with patch('builtins.open', mock_open(read_data='{_INVALID_JSON_}')) as m:
+        with pytest.raises(exceptions.ConfigurationError):
+            file_config()
+
+
 def test_write_config():
     from bigchaindb.config_utils import write_config, CONFIG_DEFAULT_PATH
     m = mock_open()