diff --git a/server.py b/server.py
index b085911..3276b96 100644
--- a/server.py
+++ b/server.py
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ python3 {filename} --address=127.0.0.1 -l -p=7288"""
             G.outboundLinks.append((arg[7:].split(":")[0], int(arg.split(":")[1])))
         elif arg.startswith("--hostname"):
             G.remoteID = arg[11:]
+            if not G.remoteID:
+                raise ValueError
         elif arg.startswith("--address"):
             address = arg[9:]
         else: