diff --git a/stardis/io/base.py b/stardis/io/base.py
index 5f0b4f95..a4ba029f 100644
--- a/stardis/io/base.py
+++ b/stardis/io/base.py
@@ -50,11 +50,22 @@ def parse_config_to_model(config_fname, add_config_keys=None, add_config_vals=No
         pass
     else:
         print("Updating config with additional keys and values")
-        try:
-            for key, val in zip(add_config_keys, add_config_vals):
-                config.set_config_item(key, val)
-        except:
+        if isinstance(add_config_keys, str):
+            # Directly set the config item if add_config_keys is a string
             config.set_config_item(add_config_keys, add_config_vals)
+        else:
+            # Proceed with iteration if add_config_keys is not a string
+            if len(add_config_keys) != len(add_config_vals):
+                raise ValueError(
+                    "Length of additional config keys and values do not match."
+                )
+            try:
+                for key, val in zip(add_config_keys, add_config_vals):
+                    config.set_config_item(key, val)
+            except:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"{add_config_keys} not a valid type. Should be a single string or a list of strings for keys."
+                )
 
         try:
             config_dict = validate_dict(config, schemapath=SCHEMA_PATH)