diff --git a/sbysrc/sby.py b/sbysrc/sby.py
index 2d5a1da..a72b098 100644
--- a/sbysrc/sby.py
+++ b/sbysrc/sby.py
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ def read_sbyconfig(sbydata, taskname):
             tasks_section = False
 
         if task_skiping_blocks:
-            if line == "--":
+            if line.strip() == "--":
                 task_skip_block = False
                 task_skiping_blocks = False
                 return
diff --git a/sbysrc/sby_core.py b/sbysrc/sby_core.py
index 1800fef..183724a 100644
--- a/sbysrc/sby_core.py
+++ b/sbysrc/sby_core.py
@@ -1373,7 +1373,9 @@ class SbyTask(SbyConfig):
 
         self.handle_str_option("mode", None)
 
-        if self.opt_mode not in ["bmc", "prove", "cover", "live", "prep"]:
+        if self.opt_mode is None:
+            self.error("Missing mode. Please specify a `mode` in the [options] section.")
+        elif self.opt_mode not in ["bmc", "prove", "cover", "live", "prep"]:
             self.error(f"Invalid mode: {self.opt_mode}")
 
         self.expect = ["PASS"]