diff --git a/src/main/kotlin/com/beust/kobalt/misc/LocalProperties.kt b/src/main/kotlin/com/beust/kobalt/misc/LocalProperties.kt
index 182fe42a..9210bc7f 100644
--- a/src/main/kotlin/com/beust/kobalt/misc/LocalProperties.kt
+++ b/src/main/kotlin/com/beust/kobalt/misc/LocalProperties.kt
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ class LocalProperties {
         val result = Properties()
         val filePath = Paths.get("local.properties")
         if (! Files.exists(filePath)) {
-            throw KobaltException("Couldn't find a local.properties file", docUrl = docUrl)
+            warn("Couldn't find a local.properties file")
         }
 
         filePath.let { path ->