diff --git a/aslprep/config.py b/aslprep/config.py
index 4f260ffc7..b7384652d 100644
--- a/aslprep/config.py
+++ b/aslprep/config.py
@@ -463,12 +463,15 @@ def init(cls):
                     ),
                 ),
             )
-            cls._layout = BIDSLayout(
-                str(cls.bids_dir),
-                database_path=_db_path,
-                reset_database=cls.bids_database_dir is None,
-                indexer=_indexer,
-            )
+            try:
+                cls._layout = BIDSLayout(
+                    str(cls.bids_dir),
+                    database_path=_db_path,
+                    reset_database=cls.bids_database_dir is None,
+                    indexer=_indexer,
+                )
+            except:
+                raise ValueError(os.listdir(cls.bids_dir))
             cls.bids_database_dir = _db_path
         cls.layout = cls._layout
         if cls.bids_filters: