diff --git a/src/routes/api.js b/src/routes/api.js
index a73f663656..c3d011e1e2 100644
--- a/src/routes/api.js
+++ b/src/routes/api.js
@@ -154,7 +154,13 @@ function getTemplatesListing(req, res, next) {
 				if (err) {
 					return next(err);
 				}
-				config = JSON.parse(config.toString());
+
+				try {
+					config = JSON.parse(config.toString());
+				} catch (err) {
+					return next(err);
+				}
+
 				plugins.fireHook('filter:templates.get_config', config, next);
 			});
 		},