diff --git a/osc/conf.py b/osc/conf.py
index c18b876e..29dcb670 100644
--- a/osc/conf.py
+++ b/osc/conf.py
@@ -1833,7 +1833,9 @@ def get_config(override_conffile=None,
     urls = [i for i in cp.sections() if i != "general"]
     for url in urls:
         apiurl = sanitize_apiurl(url)
-        username = cp[url]["user"]
+        username = cp[url].get("user", None)
+        if username is None:
+            raise oscerr.ConfigMissingCredentialsError(f"No user found in section {url}", conffile, url)
 
         host_options = HostOptions(apiurl=apiurl, username=username, _parent=config)
         for name, field in host_options.__fields__.items():