diff --git a/patroni/ha.py b/patroni/ha.py
index c0655ea0..7a0e0adb 100644
--- a/patroni/ha.py
+++ b/patroni/ha.py
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ class Ha(object):
         elif not cluster_history or cluster_history[-1][0] != master_timeline - 1 or len(cluster_history[-1]) != 4:
             cluster_history = {line[0]: line for line in cluster_history or []}
             history = self.state_handler.get_history(master_timeline)
-            if history:
+            if history and self.cluster.config:
                 history = history[-self.cluster.config.max_timelines_history:]
                 for line in history:
                     # enrich current history with promotion timestamps stored in DCS