diff --git a/cli/main.go b/cli/main.go
index 04e92fca..6b63306b 100644
--- a/cli/main.go
+++ b/cli/main.go
@@ -148,10 +148,7 @@ func main() {
 	configDir := opts.Config
 	ctx = config.WithDir(ctx, configDir)
 
-	currentContext, err := determineCurrentContext(opts.Context, configDir)
-	if err != nil {
-		fatal(errors.Wrap(err, "unable to determine current context"))
-	}
+	currentContext := determineCurrentContext(opts.Context, configDir)
 
 	s, err := store.New(store.WithRoot(configDir))
 	if err != nil {
@@ -200,19 +197,20 @@ func newSigContext() (context.Context, func()) {
 	return ctx, cancel
 }
 
-func determineCurrentContext(flag string, configDir string) (string, error) {
+func determineCurrentContext(flag string, configDir string) string {
 	res := flag
 	if res == "" {
 		config, err := config.LoadFile(configDir)
 		if err != nil {
-			return "", err
+			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, errors.Wrap(err, "WARNING"))
+			return "default"
 		}
 		res = config.CurrentContext
 	}
 	if res == "" {
 		res = "default"
 	}
-	return res, nil
+	return res
 }
 
 func fatal(err error) {
diff --git a/cli/main_test.go b/cli/main_test.go
index e616c316..f750d4a1 100644
--- a/cli/main_test.go
+++ b/cli/main_test.go
@@ -56,23 +56,19 @@ func TestDetermineCurrentContext(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// If nothing set, fallback to default
-	c, err := determineCurrentContext("", "")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	c := determineCurrentContext("", "")
 	require.Equal(t, "default", c)
 
 	// If context flag set, use that
-	c, err = determineCurrentContext("other-context", "")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	c = determineCurrentContext("other-context", "")
 	require.Equal(t, "other-context", c)
 
 	// If no context flag, use config
-	c, err = determineCurrentContext("", d)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	c = determineCurrentContext("", d)
 	require.Equal(t, "some-context", c)
 
 	// Ensure context flag overrides config
-	c, err = determineCurrentContext("other-context", d)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	c = determineCurrentContext("other-context", d)
 	require.Equal(t, "other-context", c)
 }