diff --git a/src/diraccfg/cfg.py b/src/diraccfg/cfg.py
index ef75be6..153648e 100644
--- a/src/diraccfg/cfg.py
+++ b/src/diraccfg/cfg.py
@@ -922,6 +922,8 @@ def loadFromBuffer(self, data):
     :type data: string
     :param data: Contents of the CFG
     :return: This CFG
+
+    :raise SyntaxError: in case the number of opening and closing brackets do not match
     """
     commentRE = re.compile(r"^\s*#")
     self.reset()
@@ -945,7 +947,10 @@ def loadFromBuffer(self, data):
           currentlyParsedString = ""
           currentComment = ""
         elif line[index] == "}":
-          currentLevel = levelList.pop()
+          try:
+            currentLevel = levelList.pop()
+          except IndexError:
+            raise ValueError("The cfg file seems to close more sections than it opens (i.e. to many '}' vs '{'")
         elif line[index] == "=":
           lFields = line.split("=")
           currentLevel.setOption(lFields[0].strip(), "=".join(lFields[1:]).strip(), currentComment)
@@ -960,6 +965,9 @@ def loadFromBuffer(self, data):
           break
         else:
           currentlyParsedString += line[index]
+    # At this point, the levelList should be empty
+    if levelList:
+      raise ValueError("The cfg file seems to open more sections than it closes (i.e. to many '{' vs '}'")
     return self
 
   @gCFGSynchro
diff --git a/tests/broken_close.cfg b/tests/broken_close.cfg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..412e46c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/broken_close.cfg
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# Broken because more opening brackets than closing
+DefaultModules = DIRAC
+Sources
+{
+  DIRAC = git://github.com/DIRACGrid/DIRAC.git
+}
+Releases
+{
+  integration
+  {
+    Modules = DIRAC, WebAppDIRAC, VMDIRAC
+    Externals = v6r6p8
+    DIRACOS = master
+  # Here is a missing }
+  v7r0-pre19
+  {
+    Modules = DIRAC, VMDIRAC:v2r4-pre2, RESTDIRAC:v0r5, COMDIRAC:v0r17, WebAppDIRAC:v4r0p7, OAuthDIRAC:v0r1-pre1
+    DIRACOS = master
+  }
+}
diff --git a/tests/broken_open.cfg b/tests/broken_open.cfg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8de7a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/broken_open.cfg
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# That is a broken file, with more closing bracket than opening
+#
+DefaultModules = DIRAC
+Sources
+{
+  DIRAC = git://github.com/DIRACGrid/DIRAC.git
+}
+Releases
+{
+  integration
+  # here is a missing {
+    Modules = DIRAC, WebAppDIRAC, VMDIRAC
+    Externals = v6r6p8
+    DIRACOS = master
+  }
+  v7r0-pre19
+  {
+    Modules = DIRAC, VMDIRAC:v2r4-pre2, RESTDIRAC:v0r5, COMDIRAC:v0r17, WebAppDIRAC:v4r0p7, OAuthDIRAC:v0r1-pre1
+    DIRACOS = master
+  }
+}
diff --git a/tests/test_cfg.py b/tests/test_cfg.py
index be34205..1b9cd15 100644
--- a/tests/test_cfg.py
+++ b/tests/test_cfg.py
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 import os
-
+import pytest
 from diraccfg.cfg import CFG
 
 EXAMPLE_CFG_FILE = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'releases.cfg')
+BROKEN_OPEN_CFG_FILE = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'broken_open.cfg')
+BROKEN_CLOSE_CFG_FILE = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'broken_close.cfg')
 
 
 def test_load():
@@ -13,3 +15,13 @@ def test_load():
 def test_comment():
   c = CFG().loadFromFile(EXAMPLE_CFG_FILE)
   c.getComment('Releases').strip() == 'Here is where the releases go:'
+
+
+def test_sanity():
+  with pytest.raises(ValueError) as excinfo:
+    rels = CFG().loadFromFile(BROKEN_OPEN_CFG_FILE)
+  assert 'close more section' in str(excinfo)
+
+  with pytest.raises(ValueError) as excinfo:
+    rels = CFG().loadFromFile(BROKEN_CLOSE_CFG_FILE)
+  assert 'open more section' in str(excinfo)