diff --git a/malboxes/malboxes.py b/malboxes/malboxes.py
index fd62af3..cd86537 100644
--- a/malboxes/malboxes.py
+++ b/malboxes/malboxes.py
@@ -192,10 +192,11 @@ def prepare_config(template):
 
     config = load_config(config_file, template)
 
-    profile_config = prepare_profile(template, config)
+    if "profile" in config.keys():
+        profile_config = prepare_profile(template, config)
 
-    # profile_config might contain a profile not in the config file
-    config.update(profile_config)
+        # profile_config might contain a profile not in the config file
+        config.update(profile_config)
 
     packer_tmpl = prepare_packer_template(config, template)