diff --git a/datashuttle/tui/configs.py b/datashuttle/tui/configs.py
index 974ee08a..edf72cdd 100644
--- a/datashuttle/tui/configs.py
+++ b/datashuttle/tui/configs.py
@@ -422,6 +422,16 @@ def widget_configs_match_saved_configs(self):
         cfg_kwargs = self.get_datashuttle_inputs_from_widgets()
 
         project_name = self.interface.project.cfg.project_name
+        # Add validation before proceeding
+        if not project_name.strip():
+            self.notify(
+                "Project name cannot be empty. Please enter a valid name.",
+                severity="error",
+            )
+            print(
+                "Project creation blocked due to empty name!"
+            )  # Debugging print
+            return
 
         for key, value in cfg_kwargs.items():
             saved_val = self.interface.get_configs()[key]
@@ -446,6 +456,17 @@ def setup_configs_for_a_new_project(self) -> None:
         with the new project.
         """
         project_name = self.query_one("#configs_name_input").value
+        # Add validation before proceeding
+        if not project_name.strip():
+            self.notify(
+                "Project name cannot be empty. Please enter a valid name.",
+                severity="error",
+            )
+            print(
+                "Project creation blocked due to empty name!"
+            )  # Debugging print
+            return
+
         cfg_kwargs = self.get_datashuttle_inputs_from_widgets()
 
         interface = Interface()