diff --git a/journal_lock.py b/journal_lock.py
index e947ffe1d..51f94f896 100644
--- a/journal_lock.py
+++ b/journal_lock.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ class JournalLockResult(Enum):
     JOURNALDIR_NOTEXIST = 2
     JOURNALDIR_READONLY = 3
     ALREADY_LOCKED = 4
+    JOURNALDIR_IS_NONE = 5
 
 
 class JournalLock:
@@ -33,18 +34,33 @@ class JournalLock:
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         """Initialise where the journal directory and lock file are."""
         self.journal_dir: str = config.get('journaldir') or config.default_journal_dir
-        self.journal_dir_path = pathlib.Path(self.journal_dir)
+        self.journal_dir_path: Optional[pathlib.Path] = None
+        self.set_path_from_journaldir()
         self.journal_dir_lockfile_name: Optional[pathlib.Path] = None
         # We never test truthiness of this, so let it be defined when first assigned.  Avoids type hint issues.
         # self.journal_dir_lockfile: Optional[IO] = None
         self.locked = False
 
+    def set_path_from_journaldir(self):
+        if self.journal_dir is None:
+            self.journal_dir_path = None
+
+        else:
+            try:
+                self.journal_dir_path = pathlib.Path(self.journal_dir)
+
+            except Exception:
+                logger.exception("Couldn't make pathlib.Path from journal_dir")
+
     def obtain_lock(self) -> JournalLockResult:
         """
         Attempt to obtain a lock on the journal directory.
 
         :return: LockResult - See the class Enum definition
         """
+        if self.journal_dir_path is None:
+            return JournalLockResult.JOURNALDIR_IS_NONE
+
         self.journal_dir_lockfile_name = self.journal_dir_path / 'edmc-journal-lock.txt'
         logger.trace(f'journal_dir_lockfile_name = {self.journal_dir_lockfile_name!r}')
         try:
@@ -100,7 +116,7 @@ def release_lock(self) -> bool:
         """
         Release lock on journal directory.
 
-        :return: bool - Success of unlocking operation.
+        :return: bool - Whether we're now unlocked.
         """
         if not self.locked:
             return True  # We weren't locked, and still aren't
@@ -222,8 +238,9 @@ def update_lock(self, parent: tk.Tk) -> None:
         self.release_lock()
 
         self.journal_dir = current_journaldir
-        self.journal_dir_path = pathlib.Path(self.journal_dir)
-        if not self.obtain_lock():
+        self.set_path_from_journaldir()
+
+        if self.obtain_lock() == JournalLockResult.ALREADY_LOCKED:
             # Pop-up message asking for Retry or Ignore
             self.retry_popup = self.JournalAlreadyLocked(parent, self.retry_lock)
 
@@ -241,7 +258,7 @@ def retry_lock(self, retry: bool, parent: tk.Tk) -> None:
 
         current_journaldir = config.get('journaldir') or config.default_journal_dir
         self.journal_dir = current_journaldir
-        self.journal_dir_path = pathlib.Path(self.journal_dir)
-        if not self.obtain_lock():
+        self.set_path_from_journaldir()
+        if self.obtain_lock() == JournalLockResult.ALREADY_LOCKED:
             # Pop-up message asking for Retry or Ignore
             self.retry_popup = self.JournalAlreadyLocked(parent, self.retry_lock)