diff --git a/actions/tor b/actions/tor
index e8cd0ad02..0c2cdbfb0 100755
--- a/actions/tor
+++ b/actions/tor
@@ -198,8 +198,11 @@ def get_hidden_service():
     if not hs_dir:
         return ''
 
-    with open(os.path.join(hs_dir, 'hostname'), 'r') as conf_file:
-        hs_hostname = conf_file.read().strip()
+    try:
+        with open(os.path.join(hs_dir, 'hostname'), 'r') as conf_file:
+            hs_hostname = conf_file.read().strip()
+    except Exception:
+        return 'error'
 
     return hs_hostname + ' ' + ','.join(hs_ports)
 
diff --git a/plinth/modules/tor/tor.py b/plinth/modules/tor/tor.py
index 8804b5b19..7d5cc5895 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/tor/tor.py
+++ b/plinth/modules/tor/tor.py
@@ -89,6 +89,10 @@ def get_status():
         hs_enabled = False
         hs_hostname = 'Not Configured'
         hs_ports = ''
+    elif output == 'error':
+        hs_enabled = False
+        hs_hostname = 'Configuration Error'
+        hs_ports = ''
     else:
         hs_enabled = True
         hs_info = output.split()