diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index fc2be9b0..197d7708 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+1.4.5 - ??? ?? ????
+===================
+Changed:
+* check config before reload/start will be done (#364) (ccztux)
+
+
 1.4.4 - Jun 03 2025
 ===================
 Features:
diff --git a/daemon-init.in b/daemon-init.in
index 1f49acb0..fb120f4c 100644
--- a/daemon-init.in
+++ b/daemon-init.in
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ status() {
 }
 
 start() {
+    check_config
     test -x $exec || exit 5
     test -f $config || exit 6
     echo -n "Starting $prog: "
@@ -118,6 +119,7 @@ restart() {
 }
 
 reload() {
+    check_config
     echo -n "Reloading $prog: "
     if [ -e $pidfile ]; then
         PID=`cat $pidfile`;
@@ -133,6 +135,27 @@ force_reload() {
     restart
 }
 
+check_config() {
+	echo -n "Running configuration check... "
+
+    if type runuser >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        runuser -s /bin/bash - $user -c "$corelimit >/dev/null 2>&1 ; $exec -vp $config" >/dev/null 2>&1;
+    else
+        /bin/su - -s /bin/sh $user -c "$corelimit >/dev/null 2>&1 ; $exec -vp $config" >/dev/null 2>&1;
+    fi
+
+    retval=$?
+
+    if [ $retval == 0 ] ;then
+        echo "OK"
+        return $retval
+    else
+        echo "CONFIG ERROR!"
+        echo "Reload/start aborted. Check your Naemon configuration."
+        exit $retval
+    fi
+}
+
 case "$1" in
     start)
         $1
@@ -168,6 +191,7 @@ case "$1" in
         restart
         ;;
     configtest|check|checkconfig)
+        check_config
         if command -v runuser >/dev/null 2>&1; then
           runuser -s /bin/bash - $user -c "$corelimit >/dev/null 2>&1 ; $exec -vp $config"
         else
diff --git a/daemon-systemd.in b/daemon-systemd.in
index 657a5f52..f3ccdf03 100644
--- a/daemon-systemd.in
+++ b/daemon-systemd.in
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ PIDFile=@lockfile@
 PermissionsStartOnly=true
 ExecStartPre=/bin/su naemon --login --shell=/bin/sh "--command=@bindir@/naemon --verify-config @pkgconfdir@/naemon.cfg"
 ExecStart=@bindir@/naemon --daemon @pkgconfdir@/naemon.cfg
+ExecReload=/bin/su naemon --login --shell=/bin/sh "--command=@bindir@/naemon --verify-config @pkgconfdir@/naemon.cfg"
 ExecReload=/bin/kill -HUP $MAINPID
 User=naemon
 Group=naemon