diff --git a/lib/middleman/cli.rb b/lib/middleman/cli.rb
index ebdb0843..5e2f7c69 100644
--- a/lib/middleman/cli.rb
+++ b/lib/middleman/cli.rb
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ module Middleman
     def init(name)
       key = options[:template].to_sym
       unless Middleman::Templates.registered.has_key?(key)
-        key = :default
+        raise Thor::Error.new "Unknown project template '#{key}'"
       end
       
       thor_group = Middleman::Templates.registered[key]
@@ -120,4 +120,4 @@ module Middleman
       exit 0
     end
   end
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end