diff --git a/adv_control/control.py b/adv_control/control.py
index fff8280..79b5e60 100644
--- a/adv_control/control.py
+++ b/adv_control/control.py
@@ -504,6 +504,8 @@ def load_controlnet(ckpt_path, timestep_keyframe: TimestepKeyframeGroup=None, mo
             control = comfy_cn.load_controlnet(ckpt_path, model=model)
         finally:
             comfy.utils.load_torch_file = orig_load_torch_file
+    if control is None:
+        raise Exception(f"Something went wrong when loading '{ckpt_path}'; ControlNet is None.")
     return convert_to_advanced(control, timestep_keyframe=timestep_keyframe)
 
 
diff --git a/adv_control/nodes.py b/adv_control/nodes.py
index a018406..0d6025e 100644
--- a/adv_control/nodes.py
+++ b/adv_control/nodes.py
@@ -140,6 +140,9 @@ class AdvancedControlNetApply:
                     if prev_cnet in cnets:
                         c_net = cnets[prev_cnet]
                     else:
+                        # make sure control_net is not None to avoid confusing error messages
+                        if control_net is None:
+                            raise Exception("Passed in control_net is None; something must have went wrong when loading it from a Load ControlNet node.")
                         # copy, convert to advanced if needed, and set cond
                         c_net = convert_to_advanced(control_net.copy()).set_cond_hint(control_hint, strength, (start_percent, end_percent), vae_optional)
                         if is_advanced_controlnet(c_net):