diff --git a/base/mk/base-libs.mk b/base/mk/base-libs.mk
index 58c01c5e60..245434e6ab 100644
--- a/base/mk/base-libs.mk
+++ b/base/mk/base-libs.mk
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 # These linked against 'ldso' and filtered out for dynamically
 # linked binaries
 #
-BASE_LIBS = base-common base cxx timed_semaphore alarm
+BASE_LIBS = base-common base cxx timed_semaphore alarm config
 
 #
 # Name of Genode's dynamic linker
diff --git a/dde_linux/lib/mk/usb.inc b/dde_linux/lib/mk/usb.inc
index 754df0fab4..f83e206f2c 100644
--- a/dde_linux/lib/mk/usb.inc
+++ b/dde_linux/lib/mk/usb.inc
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 LIB_DIR     = $(REP_DIR)/src/lib/usb
 LIB_INC_DIR = $(LIB_DIR)/include
 
-LIBS     += base cxx dde_kit libc-setjmp
+LIBS     += base cxx dde_kit libc-setjmp config
 SRC_CC   += main.cc lx_emul.cc irq.cc timer.cc event.cc storage.cc \
             input_component.cc nic.cc
 SRC_C    += dummies.c scsi.c evdev.c
diff --git a/dde_linux/src/lib/usb/include/platform.h b/dde_linux/src/lib/usb/include/platform.h
index 13a3571e25..88b0622155 100644
--- a/dde_linux/src/lib/usb/include/platform.h
+++ b/dde_linux/src/lib/usb/include/platform.h
@@ -41,9 +41,6 @@ struct Services
 		try {
 			config()->xml_node().sub_node("hid");
 			hid = true;
-		} catch (Config::Invalid) {
-			PDBG("No <config> node found - not starting any USB services");
-			return;
 		} catch (Xml_node::Nonexistent_sub_node) {
 			PDBG("No <hid> config node found - not starting the USB HID (Input) service");
 		}
diff --git a/demo/src/app/backdrop/target.mk b/demo/src/app/backdrop/target.mk
index 99f8448d71..ef4c951a98 100644
--- a/demo/src/app/backdrop/target.mk
+++ b/demo/src/app/backdrop/target.mk
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 TARGET  = backdrop
 SRC_CC  = main.cc
-LIBS    = base libpng_static libz_static mini_c
+LIBS    = base libpng_static libz_static mini_c config
 CC_OPT += -DPNG_USER_CONFIG
diff --git a/demo/src/app/launchpad/target.mk b/demo/src/app/launchpad/target.mk
index df8a3b2c2c..0b54bd0868 100644
--- a/demo/src/app/launchpad/target.mk
+++ b/demo/src/app/launchpad/target.mk
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 TARGET    = launchpad
-LIBS      = launchpad scout_widgets
+LIBS      = launchpad scout_widgets config
 SRC_CC    = launchpad_window.cc \
             launcher.cc \
             main.cc
diff --git a/demo/src/server/liquid_framebuffer/target.mk b/demo/src/server/liquid_framebuffer/target.mk
index 5678711021..8ed86f1e2f 100644
--- a/demo/src/server/liquid_framebuffer/target.mk
+++ b/demo/src/server/liquid_framebuffer/target.mk
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 TARGET   = liquid_fb
-LIBS     = scout_widgets
+LIBS     = scout_widgets config
 SRC_CC   = main.cc services.cc
 INC_DIR += $(REP_DIR)/src/app/scout/include \
            $(REP_DIR)/src/app/scout/include/genode \
diff --git a/gems/src/server/terminal/target.mk b/gems/src/server/terminal/target.mk
index 46b6e93be2..86d2c79bed 100644
--- a/gems/src/server/terminal/target.mk
+++ b/gems/src/server/terminal/target.mk
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 TARGET  = terminal
 SRC_CC  = main.cc
-LIBS    = base
+LIBS    = base config
 SRC_BIN = $(notdir $(wildcard $(PRG_DIR)/*.tff))
diff --git a/libports/lib/mk/libc.mk b/libports/lib/mk/libc.mk
index 0db85d8415..cb031c0d1f 100644
--- a/libports/lib/mk/libc.mk
+++ b/libports/lib/mk/libc.mk
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 LIBS   = libc-string libc-locale libc-stdlib libc-stdio libc-gen libc-gdtoa \
          libc-inet libc-stdtime libc-regex libc-compat libc-setjmp
 
-LIBS  += base
+LIBS  += base config
 
 #
 # Back end
diff --git a/libports/src/app/qt5/qt_avplay/main_window.cpp b/libports/src/app/qt5/qt_avplay/main_window.cpp
index e3c0909785..163dd9ded0 100644
--- a/libports/src/app/qt5/qt_avplay/main_window.cpp
+++ b/libports/src/app/qt5/qt_avplay/main_window.cpp
@@ -86,9 +86,7 @@ Main_window::Main_window()
 			qDebug() << "filter:" << framebuffer_filter->name << "," << framebuffer_filter->ram_quota;
 			framebuffer_filters.prepend(framebuffer_filter);
 		}
-	} catch (Config::Invalid) {
-	} catch (Xml_node::Nonexistent_sub_node) {
-	}
+	} catch (Xml_node::Nonexistent_sub_node) { }
 
 	/* start the filtering framebuffer services */
 
diff --git a/libports/src/drivers/framebuffer/vesa/target.mk b/libports/src/drivers/framebuffer/vesa/target.mk
index 7cf5614516..cb0b71000d 100644
--- a/libports/src/drivers/framebuffer/vesa/target.mk
+++ b/libports/src/drivers/framebuffer/vesa/target.mk
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 TARGET    = fb_drv
 REQUIRES  = vesa
 SRC_CC    = main.cc framebuffer.cc ifx86emu.cc hw_emul.cc
-LIBS      = base blit x86emu
+LIBS      = base blit x86emu config
 INC_DIR  += $(PRG_DIR)/include $(REP_DIR)/include/x86emu
diff --git a/libports/src/lib/sdl/audio/SDL_genodeaudio.cc b/libports/src/lib/sdl/audio/SDL_genodeaudio.cc
index 5cff4c5287..276055e265 100644
--- a/libports/src/lib/sdl/audio/SDL_genodeaudio.cc
+++ b/libports/src/lib/sdl/audio/SDL_genodeaudio.cc
@@ -83,7 +83,6 @@ static void read_config()
 
 		volume = (float)config_volume / 100;
 	}
-	catch (Genode::Config::Invalid) { }
 	catch (Genode::Xml_node::Nonexistent_sub_node) { }
 	catch (Genode::Xml_node::Nonexistent_attribute) { }
 }
diff --git a/libports/src/server/ffat_fs/target.mk b/libports/src/server/ffat_fs/target.mk
index bea2bf85b2..0ec6a59b92 100644
--- a/libports/src/server/ffat_fs/target.mk
+++ b/libports/src/server/ffat_fs/target.mk
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 TARGET   = ffat_fs
 SRC_CC   = main.cc
-LIBS     = base ffat_block
+LIBS     = base ffat_block config
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR)
diff --git a/os/include/os/config.h b/os/include/os/config.h
index 9dcf2931cf..dfc013a124 100644
--- a/os/include/os/config.h
+++ b/os/include/os/config.h
@@ -14,100 +14,53 @@
 #ifndef _INCLUDE__OS__CONFIG_H_
 #define _INCLUDE__OS__CONFIG_H_
 
-#include <util/xml_node.h>
-#include <dataspace/client.h>
 #include <rom_session/connection.h>
+#include <dataspace/client.h>
+#include <util/xml_node.h>
 #include <base/exception.h>
 
 namespace Genode {
 
-	class Config
-	{
-		private:
-
-			Rom_connection       _config_rom;
-			Dataspace_capability _config_ds;
-			Xml_node             _config_xml;
-
-			Xml_node _config_xml_node()
-			{
-				if (_config_ds.valid())
-					return Xml_node(env()->rm_session()->attach(_config_ds),
-					                Genode::Dataspace_client(_config_ds).size());
-				else
-					return Xml_node("<config/>");
-			}
-
-		public:
-
-			/**
-			 * Exception class for configuration errors
-			 */
-			class Invalid : public Exception { };
-
-			/**
-			 * Constructor
-			 */
-			Config() :
-				_config_rom("config"),
-				_config_ds(_config_rom.dataspace()),
-				_config_xml(_config_xml_node())
-			{ }
-
-			Xml_node xml_node() { return _config_xml; }
-
-			/**
-			 * Register signal handler for tracking config modifications
-			 */
-			void sigh(Signal_context_capability cap) { _config_rom.sigh(cap); }
-
-			/**
-			 * Reload configuration
-			 *
-			 * \throw Invalid  if the new configuration has an invalid syntax
-			 *
-			 * This function is meant to be called as response to a signal
-			 * received by the signal handler as registered via 'sigh()'.
-			 */
-			void reload()
-			{
-				try {
-					/* re-acquire dataspace from ROM session */
-					if (_config_ds.valid())
-						env()->rm_session()->detach(_config_xml.addr());
-
-					_config_ds = _config_rom.dataspace();
-
-					/* re-initialize XML node with new config data */
-					_config_xml = _config_xml_node();
-
-				} catch (Genode::Xml_node::Invalid_syntax) {
-					PERR("Config file has invalid syntax");
-					throw Invalid();
-				}
-			}
-	};
+	class Config;
 
 	/**
 	 * Return singleton instance of config
 	 */
-	static Config *config()
-	{
-		static bool config_failed = false;
-		if (!config_failed) {
-			try {
-				static Config config_inst;
-				return &config_inst;
-			} catch (Genode::Rom_connection::Rom_connection_failed) {
-				PERR("Could not obtain config file");
-			} catch (Genode::Xml_node::Invalid_syntax) {
-				PERR("Config file has invalid syntax");
-			}
-		}
-		/* do not try again to construct 'config_inst' */
-		config_failed = true;
-		throw Config::Invalid();
-	}
+	Config *config();
 }
 
+
+class Genode::Config
+{
+	private:
+
+		Rom_connection       _config_rom;
+		Dataspace_capability _config_ds;
+		Xml_node             _config_xml;
+
+	public:
+
+		/**
+		 * Constructor
+		 */
+		Config();
+
+		Xml_node xml_node();
+
+		/**
+		 * Register signal handler for tracking config modifications
+		 */
+		void sigh(Signal_context_capability cap);
+
+		/**
+		 * Reload configuration
+		 *
+		 * \throw Invalid  if the new configuration has an invalid syntax
+		 *
+		 * This function is meant to be called as response to a signal
+		 * received by the signal handler as registered via 'sigh()'.
+		 */
+		void reload();
+};
+
 #endif /* _INCLUDE__OS__CONFIG_H_ */
diff --git a/os/lib/mk/config.mk b/os/lib/mk/config.mk
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e47bb7504f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/os/lib/mk/config.mk
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+SRC_CC = config.cc
+
+vpath config.cc $(REP_DIR)/src/lib/config
diff --git a/os/lib/mk/config_args.mk b/os/lib/mk/config_args.mk
index dbf9be6a1e..3f8f4d64b2 100644
--- a/os/lib/mk/config_args.mk
+++ b/os/lib/mk/config_args.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
 SRC_CC = config_args.cc
 
+LIBS += config
+
 vpath %.cc $(REP_DIR)/src/lib/config_args
diff --git a/os/src/app/cli_monitor/target.mk b/os/src/app/cli_monitor/target.mk
index 18b6022462..e6fa140576 100644
--- a/os/src/app/cli_monitor/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/app/cli_monitor/target.mk
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 TARGET   = cli_monitor
 SRC_CC   = main.cc
-LIBS     = base cli_monitor
+LIBS     = base cli_monitor config
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR)
diff --git a/os/src/app/xvfb/target.mk b/os/src/app/xvfb/target.mk
index 82ce6cd52c..d456edf93d 100644
--- a/os/src/app/xvfb/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/app/xvfb/target.mk
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 TARGET   = xvfb
 REQUIRES = linux x11 xtest xdamage
 SRC_CC   = main.cc inject_input.cc
-LIBS     = base_hybrid syscall blit xev_track
+LIBS     = base_hybrid syscall blit xev_track config
 
 EXT_OBJECTS += -lX11 -lXdamage /usr/lib/libXtst.so.6
diff --git a/os/src/drivers/atapi/target.mk b/os/src/drivers/atapi/target.mk
index 51fc38a0c8..837bd5e39b 100644
--- a/os/src/drivers/atapi/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/drivers/atapi/target.mk
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ TARGET   = atapi_drv
 REQUIRES = x86
 SRC_CC   = main.cc ata_device.cc atapi_device.cc io.cc ata_bus_master.cc
 SRC_C    = mindrvr.c
-LIBS     = base
+LIBS     = base config
 
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR)/contrib $(PRG_DIR)
 
diff --git a/os/src/drivers/framebuffer/imx53/target.mk b/os/src/drivers/framebuffer/imx53/target.mk
index 54597876cf..4528586cc8 100644
--- a/os/src/drivers/framebuffer/imx53/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/drivers/framebuffer/imx53/target.mk
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 TARGET   = fb_drv
 REQUIRES = imx53
 SRC_CC   = main.cc
-LIBS     = base blit
+LIBS     = base blit config
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR)
 
 vpath main.cc $(PRG_DIR)
diff --git a/os/src/drivers/framebuffer/omap4/target.mk b/os/src/drivers/framebuffer/omap4/target.mk
index 98e3b900d3..820e840145 100644
--- a/os/src/drivers/framebuffer/omap4/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/drivers/framebuffer/omap4/target.mk
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 TARGET   = fb_drv
 REQUIRES = omap4
 SRC_CC   = main.cc
-LIBS     = base
+LIBS     = base config
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR)
 
 vpath main.cc $(PRG_DIR)
diff --git a/os/src/drivers/pci/x86/target.mk b/os/src/drivers/pci/x86/target.mk
index d3509e1729..2e67d748f1 100644
--- a/os/src/drivers/pci/x86/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/drivers/pci/x86/target.mk
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 TARGET   = pci_drv
 REQUIRES = x86
 SRC_CC   = main.cc
-LIBS     = base
+LIBS     = base config
 
 INC_DIR  = $(PRG_DIR)/..
 
diff --git a/os/src/drivers/uart/exynos5/target.mk b/os/src/drivers/uart/exynos5/target.mk
index 183768ec4e..8b751b3203 100644
--- a/os/src/drivers/uart/exynos5/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/drivers/uart/exynos5/target.mk
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 TARGET   = uart_drv
 REQUIRES = exynos5
 SRC_CC   = main.cc
-LIBS     = base
+LIBS     = base config
 
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR) $(PRG_DIR)/..
diff --git a/os/src/drivers/uart/i8250/target.mk b/os/src/drivers/uart/i8250/target.mk
index 8422bdb918..5b6aaf5d69 100644
--- a/os/src/drivers/uart/i8250/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/drivers/uart/i8250/target.mk
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 TARGET   = uart_drv
 REQUIRES = x86
 SRC_CC   = main.cc
-LIBS     = base
+LIBS     = base config
 
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR) $(PRG_DIR)/..
diff --git a/os/src/drivers/uart/kdb/target.inc b/os/src/drivers/uart/kdb/target.inc
index 398fb9529e..d1146ea51c 100644
--- a/os/src/drivers/uart/kdb/target.inc
+++ b/os/src/drivers/uart/kdb/target.inc
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 TARGET   = kdb_uart_drv
 SRC_CC   = main.cc
-LIBS     = base
+LIBS     = base config
 
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR)/.. $(PRG_DIR)/../..
 
diff --git a/os/src/drivers/uart/omap4/target.mk b/os/src/drivers/uart/omap4/target.mk
index 2d005d15f1..9ae42a4709 100644
--- a/os/src/drivers/uart/omap4/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/drivers/uart/omap4/target.mk
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 TARGET   = uart_drv
 REQUIRES = omap4
 SRC_CC   = main.cc
-LIBS     = base
+LIBS     = base config
 
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR) $(PRG_DIR)/..
diff --git a/os/src/drivers/uart/pl011/target.mk b/os/src/drivers/uart/pl011/target.mk
index d755a7ff01..19e69ce1bf 100644
--- a/os/src/drivers/uart/pl011/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/drivers/uart/pl011/target.mk
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 TARGET   = uart_drv
 REQUIRES = pl011
 SRC_CC   = main.cc
-LIBS     = base
+LIBS     = base config
 
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR) $(PRG_DIR)/..
diff --git a/os/src/init/main.cc b/os/src/init/main.cc
index 1be73402b6..47d87f5616 100644
--- a/os/src/init/main.cc
+++ b/os/src/init/main.cc
@@ -229,8 +229,8 @@ int main(int, char **)
 		}
 		catch (Xml_node::Nonexistent_sub_node) {
 			PERR("No children to start"); }
-		catch (Config::Invalid) {
-			PERR("No valid config found"); }
+		catch (Xml_node::Invalid_syntax) {
+			PERR("No children to start"); }
 		catch (Init::Child::Child_name_is_not_unique) { }
 
 		/*
diff --git a/os/src/init/target.mk b/os/src/init/target.mk
index 8998b99c90..5d1a5574a9 100644
--- a/os/src/init/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/init/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = init
 SRC_CC = main.cc
-LIBS   = base init_pd_args
+LIBS   = base init_pd_args config
diff --git a/os/src/lib/config/config.cc b/os/src/lib/config/config.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bf7a80bb5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/os/src/lib/config/config.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+/*
+ * \brief  Access to process configuration
+ * \author Norman Feske
+ * \date   2010-05-04
+ */
+
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2010-2013 Genode Labs GmbH
+ *
+ * This file is part of the Genode OS framework, which is distributed
+ * under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2.
+ */
+
+#include <os/config.h>
+
+using namespace Genode;
+
+Xml_node _config_xml_node(Dataspace_capability config_ds)
+{
+	return Xml_node(env()->rm_session()->attach(config_ds),
+	                Genode::Dataspace_client(config_ds).size());
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * Fallback XML node used if the configuration is broken
+ */
+static Xml_node fallback_config_xml()
+{
+	return Xml_node("<config/>");
+}
+
+
+void Config::reload()
+{
+	if (!this)
+		return;
+
+	try {
+		/* re-acquire dataspace from ROM session */
+		if (_config_ds.valid())
+			env()->rm_session()->detach(_config_xml.addr());
+
+		_config_ds = _config_rom.dataspace();
+
+		/* re-initialize XML node with new config data */
+		_config_xml = _config_xml_node(_config_ds);
+
+	} catch (Genode::Xml_node::Invalid_syntax) {
+		PERR("Config file has invalid syntax");
+		_config_xml = fallback_config_xml();
+	}
+}
+
+
+Xml_node Config::xml_node()
+{
+	if (!this)
+		return fallback_config_xml();
+
+	return _config_xml;
+}
+
+
+void Config::sigh(Signal_context_capability cap)
+{
+	if (this)
+		_config_rom.sigh(cap);
+}
+
+
+Config::Config()
+:
+	_config_rom("config"),
+	_config_ds(_config_rom.dataspace()),
+	_config_xml(_config_xml_node(_config_ds))
+{ }
+
+
+Config *Genode::config()
+{
+	static bool config_failed = false;
+	if (!config_failed) {
+		try {
+			static Config config_inst;
+			return &config_inst;
+		} catch (Genode::Rom_connection::Rom_connection_failed) {
+			PERR("Could not obtain config file");
+		} catch (Genode::Xml_node::Invalid_syntax) {
+			PERR("Config file has invalid syntax");
+		}
+	}
+	/* do not try again to construct 'config_inst' */
+	config_failed = true;
+	return 0;
+}
+
diff --git a/os/src/lib/config_args/config_args.cc b/os/src/lib/config_args/config_args.cc
index 22fa90caf7..916e9c0424 100644
--- a/os/src/lib/config_args/config_args.cc
+++ b/os/src/lib/config_args/config_args.cc
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ void init_config_args(void)
 			arg_node = arg_node.next("arg");
 		}
 	}
-	catch (Config::Invalid) { return; }
 	catch (Xml_node::Nonexistent_sub_node) { }
 	catch (Xml_node::Nonexistent_attribute)
 	{
diff --git a/os/src/server/nic_bridge/target.mk b/os/src/server/nic_bridge/target.mk
index d947284ebe..5308f64770 100644
--- a/os/src/server/nic_bridge/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/server/nic_bridge/target.mk
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 TARGET    = nic_bridge
-LIBS      = base net
+LIBS      = base net config
 SRC_CC    = component.cc env.cc mac.cc main.cc nic.cc packet_handler.cc
 
 vpath *.cc $(REP_DIR)/src/server/proxy_arp
diff --git a/os/src/server/nit_fb/target.mk b/os/src/server/nit_fb/target.mk
index c0aaaa218a..182c61049d 100644
--- a/os/src/server/nit_fb/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/server/nit_fb/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = nit_fb
 SRC_CC = main.cc
-LIBS   = base
+LIBS   = base config
diff --git a/os/src/server/nitpicker/genode/target.mk b/os/src/server/nitpicker/genode/target.mk
index 0aa75cf79f..ae28706f71 100644
--- a/os/src/server/nitpicker/genode/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/server/nitpicker/genode/target.mk
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 TARGET   = nitpicker
-LIBS     = base blit
+LIBS     = base blit config
 SRC_CC   = main.cc \
            view_stack.cc \
            view.cc \
diff --git a/os/src/server/part_blk/target.mk b/os/src/server/part_blk/target.mk
index 5734caf6d8..7653984545 100644
--- a/os/src/server/part_blk/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/server/part_blk/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = part_blk
-LIBS   = base
+LIBS   = base config
 SRC_CC = main.cc back_end.cc
diff --git a/os/src/server/ram_fs/main.cc b/os/src/server/ram_fs/main.cc
index b5b80bb5e3..a56da5ca6e 100644
--- a/os/src/server/ram_fs/main.cc
+++ b/os/src/server/ram_fs/main.cc
@@ -635,7 +635,6 @@ int main(int, char **)
 		Xml_node content = config()->xml_node().sub_node("content");
 		preload_content(*env()->heap(), content, root_dir); }
 	catch (Xml_node::Nonexistent_sub_node) { }
-	catch (Config::Invalid) { }
 
 	static File_system::Root root(ep, sliced_heap, sig_rec, root_dir);
 
diff --git a/os/src/server/ram_fs/target.mk b/os/src/server/ram_fs/target.mk
index 5023a7f3d6..0e8238db08 100644
--- a/os/src/server/ram_fs/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/server/ram_fs/target.mk
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 TARGET   = ram_fs
 SRC_CC   = main.cc
-LIBS     = base
+LIBS     = base config
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR)
diff --git a/os/src/server/rom_loopdev/target.mk b/os/src/server/rom_loopdev/target.mk
index 819c241f21..4d2045bc8a 100644
--- a/os/src/server/rom_loopdev/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/server/rom_loopdev/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = rom_loopdev
 SRC_CC = main.cc
-LIBS   = base
+LIBS   = base config
diff --git a/os/src/server/rom_prefetcher/target.mk b/os/src/server/rom_prefetcher/target.mk
index aaa5fe061b..3edca88ea2 100644
--- a/os/src/server/rom_prefetcher/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/server/rom_prefetcher/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = rom_prefetcher
 SRC_CC = main.cc
-LIBS  += base
+LIBS  += base config
diff --git a/os/src/server/tar_fs/target.mk b/os/src/server/tar_fs/target.mk
index 6d3e85930f..13f893266b 100644
--- a/os/src/server/tar_fs/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/server/tar_fs/target.mk
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 TARGET   = tar_fs
 SRC_CC   = main.cc
-LIBS     = base
+LIBS     = base config
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR)
diff --git a/os/src/server/tar_rom/target.mk b/os/src/server/tar_rom/target.mk
index d13b6fbf5c..679e7bf44a 100755
--- a/os/src/server/tar_rom/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/server/tar_rom/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = tar_rom
 SRC_CC = main.cc
-LIBS   = base
+LIBS   = base config
diff --git a/os/src/test/audio_out/target.mk b/os/src/test/audio_out/target.mk
index feb92edbea..e3bfd78691 100644
--- a/os/src/test/audio_out/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/test/audio_out/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = test-audio_out
 SRC_CC = main.cc
-LIBS   = base
+LIBS   = base config
diff --git a/os/src/test/bomb/target.mk b/os/src/test/bomb/target.mk
index c1142e2024..38cbc46590 100644
--- a/os/src/test/bomb/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/test/bomb/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = bomb
 SRC_CC = main.cc
-LIBS   = base
+LIBS   = base config
diff --git a/os/src/test/chroot_loader/target.mk b/os/src/test/chroot_loader/target.mk
index f818a7d7c7..86b1dd1d07 100644
--- a/os/src/test/chroot_loader/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/test/chroot_loader/target.mk
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 TARGET    = test-chroot_loader
 REQUIRES += linux
 SRC_CC    = main.cc
-LIBS     += base
+LIBS     += base config
diff --git a/os/src/test/dynamic_config/main.cc b/os/src/test/dynamic_config/main.cc
index 017dce645d..86deb69791 100644
--- a/os/src/test/dynamic_config/main.cc
+++ b/os/src/test/dynamic_config/main.cc
@@ -42,12 +42,8 @@ int main(int, char **)
 		/* wait for config change */
 		sig_rec.wait_for_signal();
 
-		try {
-			Genode::config()->reload();
-			parse_config();
-		} catch (Genode::Config::Invalid) {
-			PERR("Error: reloading config failed");
-		}
+		Genode::config()->reload();
+		parse_config();
 	}
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/os/src/test/dynamic_config/target.mk b/os/src/test/dynamic_config/target.mk
index 45a4db1519..aa23a399d2 100644
--- a/os/src/test/dynamic_config/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/test/dynamic_config/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = test-dynamic_config
 SRC_CC = main.cc
-LIBS   = base
+LIBS   = base config
diff --git a/os/src/test/part_blk/target.mk b/os/src/test/part_blk/target.mk
index 493302aeff..521e963e08 100644
--- a/os/src/test/part_blk/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/test/part_blk/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = test-part
 SRC_CC = main.cc
-LIBS   = base
+LIBS   = base config
diff --git a/os/src/test/rom_blk/target.mk b/os/src/test/rom_blk/target.mk
index a7ccab986b..0db517a1a9 100644
--- a/os/src/test/rom_blk/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/test/rom_blk/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = test-rom_blk
 SRC_CC = main.cc
-LIBS   = base
+LIBS   = base config
diff --git a/os/src/test/trace/target.mk b/os/src/test/trace/target.mk
index a5a6abb453..9bd4c73f2d 100644
--- a/os/src/test/trace/target.mk
+++ b/os/src/test/trace/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = test-trace
 SRC_CC = main.cc
-LIBS  += base
+LIBS  += base config
diff --git a/ports-foc/lib/mk/l4lx.mk b/ports-foc/lib/mk/l4lx.mk
index 2994505350..250320048b 100644
--- a/ports-foc/lib/mk/l4lx.mk
+++ b/ports-foc/lib/mk/l4lx.mk
@@ -32,6 +32,6 @@ SRC_CC  += env.cc \
 INC_DIR += $(REP_DIR)/include \
            $(REP_DIR)/src/lib/l4lx/include \
 
-LIBS     = base
+LIBS     = base config
 
 vpath %.cc $(REP_DIR)/src/lib/l4lx
diff --git a/ports-foc/mk/l4lx.mk b/ports-foc/mk/l4lx.mk
index 4a0c02d59e..b5afefccff 100644
--- a/ports-foc/mk/l4lx.mk
+++ b/ports-foc/mk/l4lx.mk
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ VERBOSE_LX_MK      ?= 0
 REQUIRES           += foc
 INC_DIR            += $(REP_DIR)/include
 LIBS                = l4lx l4sys
-GENODE_LIBS        := base base-common startup syscall cxx l4lx l4sys
+GENODE_LIBS        := base base-common startup syscall cxx l4lx l4sys config
 
 GENODE_LIBS        := $(foreach l,$(GENODE_LIBS),$(BUILD_BASE_DIR)/var/libcache/$l/$l.lib.a)
 GENODE_LIBS_SORTED  = $(sort $(wildcard $(GENODE_LIBS)))
diff --git a/ports-okl4/lib/mk/oklx.mk b/ports-okl4/lib/mk/oklx.mk
index df40296879..c7defb131a 100644
--- a/ports-okl4/lib/mk/oklx.mk
+++ b/ports-okl4/lib/mk/oklx.mk
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ SRC_CC  += iguana_eas.cc \
            iguana_tls.cc
 INC_DIR += $(REP_DIR)/include/oklx_lib
 INC_DIR += $(REP_DIR)/src/lib/oklx/include
-LIBS     = base
+LIBS     = base config
 
 # do not produce position-independent code
 CC_OPT_PIC =
diff --git a/ports-okl4/patches/oklx_genode.patch b/ports-okl4/patches/oklx_genode.patch
index 31e077cf8a..80ebba4b4c 100644
--- a/ports-okl4/patches/oklx_genode.patch
+++ b/ports-okl4/patches/oklx_genode.patch
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ diff -urNpB kernel-2.6.23-v2/arch/l4/Makefile contrib/arch/l4/Makefile
 -libs-y +=  -lvtimer -lvserial -ll4e -lll -liguana -ll4 -lgcc -lmutex -lcircular_buffer -lc -latomic_ops -lfs
 +#libs-y +=  -lvtimer -lvserial -ll4e -lll -liguana -ll4 -lgcc -lmutex -lcircular_buffer -lc -latomic_ops -lfs
 +
-+GENODE_LIBS = base base-common cxx startup \
++GENODE_LIBS = base base-common cxx startup config \
 +              oklx
 +
 +libs-y += $(addprefix $(GENODE_LIBS_DIR)/,$(foreach l,$(GENODE_LIBS),$l/$l.lib.a))
diff --git a/ports/src/noux/minimal/target.mk b/ports/src/noux/minimal/target.mk
index 986280c4f1..c358824726 100644
--- a/ports/src/noux/minimal/target.mk
+++ b/ports/src/noux/minimal/target.mk
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 TARGET   = noux
-LIBS     = base alarm
+LIBS     = base alarm config
 SRC_CC   = main.cc dummy_net.cc
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR)
 INC_DIR += $(PRG_DIR)/../
diff --git a/ports/src/noux/net/target.mk b/ports/src/noux/net/target.mk
index 67877462b0..6a80335c2a 100644
--- a/ports/src/noux/net/target.mk
+++ b/ports/src/noux/net/target.mk
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 TARGET   = noux_net
-LIBS    += alarm libc libc_lwip
+LIBS    += alarm libc libc_lwip config
 
 SRC_CC   = main.cc net.cc
 
diff --git a/ports/src/test/gdb_monitor_target_config/main.cc b/ports/src/test/gdb_monitor_target_config/main.cc
index 8cd7098eb6..d52695068c 100644
--- a/ports/src/test/gdb_monitor_target_config/main.cc
+++ b/ports/src/test/gdb_monitor_target_config/main.cc
@@ -20,9 +20,6 @@ int main(void)
 {
 	try {
 		config()->xml_node().sub_node("test_config_subnode");
-	} catch(Config::Invalid) {
-		PERR("Error: Missing '<config>' node.");
-		return -1;
 	} catch (Xml_node::Nonexistent_sub_node) {
 		PERR("Error: Missing '<test_config_subnode>' sub node.");
 		return -1;
diff --git a/ports/src/test/gdb_monitor_target_config/target.mk b/ports/src/test/gdb_monitor_target_config/target.mk
index 44568173e2..983ddc65b5 100644
--- a/ports/src/test/gdb_monitor_target_config/target.mk
+++ b/ports/src/test/gdb_monitor_target_config/target.mk
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 TARGET = test-gdb_monitor_target_config
 SRC_CC = main.cc
-LIBS   = base
+LIBS   = base config
diff --git a/ports/src/vancouver/target.inc b/ports/src/vancouver/target.inc
index b4a76ba96a..61d6a2b0d1 100644
--- a/ports/src/vancouver/target.inc
+++ b/ports/src/vancouver/target.inc
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ ifeq ($(wildcard $(VANCOUVER_DIR)),)
 REQUIRES += prepare_ports_vancouver
 endif
 
-LIBS   += base blit alarm seoul_libc_support
+LIBS   += base blit alarm seoul_libc_support config
 SRC_CC  = main.cc nova_user_env.cc device_model_registry.cc
 SRC_CC += console.cc keyboard.cc network.cc disk.cc
 SRC_BIN = mono.tff
diff --git a/qt4/src/app/qt_avplay/main_window.cpp b/qt4/src/app/qt_avplay/main_window.cpp
index e3c0909785..163dd9ded0 100644
--- a/qt4/src/app/qt_avplay/main_window.cpp
+++ b/qt4/src/app/qt_avplay/main_window.cpp
@@ -86,9 +86,7 @@ Main_window::Main_window()
 			qDebug() << "filter:" << framebuffer_filter->name << "," << framebuffer_filter->ram_quota;
 			framebuffer_filters.prepend(framebuffer_filter);
 		}
-	} catch (Config::Invalid) {
-	} catch (Xml_node::Nonexistent_sub_node) {
-	}
+	} catch (Xml_node::Nonexistent_sub_node) { }
 
 	/* start the filtering framebuffer services */