diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index 83ad1675..58050386 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ byobu (5.40) unreleased; urgency=low
     - hardcode a use of gawk (for hex calculations)
   * usr/share/doc/byobu/help.tmux.txt: LP: #1143342
     - rephrase window rename help text
+  * usr/bin/byobu-config: LP: #1166058
+    - handle non-existant keybindings file
 
  -- Dustin Kirkland <kirkland@ubuntu.com>  Tue, 07 May 2013 22:01:40 -0500
 
diff --git a/usr/bin/byobu-config b/usr/bin/byobu-config
index 3cbf87e4..6a9c3d42 100755
--- a/usr/bin/byobu-config
+++ b/usr/bin/byobu-config
@@ -265,16 +265,20 @@ def getesckey():
 	line = ""
 	if BYOBU_BACKEND == "tmux":
 		path = BYOBU_CONFIG_DIR + '/keybindings.tmux'
-		for l in open(path):
-			if l.startswith("set -g prefix "):
-				line = l
+		if os.path.exists(path):
+			for l in open(path):
+				if l.startswith("set -g prefix "):
+					line = l
+		else:
+			return DEF_ESC
 	else:
 		path = BYOBU_CONFIG_DIR + '/keybindings'
-		for l in open(path):
-			if l.startswith("escape "):
-				line = l
-	if not os.path.exists(path):
-		return DEF_ESC
+		if os.path.exists(path):
+			for l in open(path):
+				if l.startswith("escape "):
+					line = l
+		else:
+			return DEF_ESC
 	if line == "":
 		return DEF_ESC
 	esc = line[line.find('^') + 1]