diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index bbc5db3..5fe400f 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -155,11 +155,14 @@ pub async fn run() -> std::io::Result<()> {
         let disable_expansion_pak = args
             .disable_expansion_pak
             .unwrap_or(device.ui.config.emulation.disable_expansion_pak);
-        let cheats = if let Some(cheats_file) = args.cheats
-            && let Ok(data) = std::fs::read(cheats_file)
-            && let Ok(cheats) = serde_json::from_slice(&data)
-        {
-            cheats
+        let cheats = if let Some(cheats_file) = args.cheats {
+            if let Ok(data) = std::fs::read(cheats_file)
+                && let Ok(cheats) = serde_json::from_slice(&data)
+            {
+                cheats
+            } else {
+                return Err(Error::other("Could not read cheats file"));
+            }
         } else {
             let game_crc = ui::storage::get_game_crc(&rom_contents);
             ui::config::Cheats::new()