diff --git a/irclog.py b/irclog.py
index 85f4a06..d47110a 100644
--- a/irclog.py
+++ b/irclog.py
@@ -194,19 +194,17 @@ class Config(dict):
 					raise InvalidConfig(f'Invalid channel {key!r} path: collides with channel {seenPaths[channel["path"]]!r}')
 				seenPaths[channel['path']] = key
 
-				if 'auth' in channel:
-					if channel['auth'] is not False and not isinstance(channel['auth'], str):
-						raise InvalidConfig(f'Invalid channel {key!r} auth: must be false or a string')
-					if isinstance(channel['auth'], str) and ':' not in channel['auth']:
-							raise InvalidConfig(f'Invalid channel {key!r} auth: must contain a colon')
-				else:
+				if 'auth' not in channel:
 					channel['auth'] = False
+				if channel['auth'] is not False and not isinstance(channel['auth'], str):
+					raise InvalidConfig(f'Invalid channel {key!r} auth: must be false or a string')
+				if isinstance(channel['auth'], str) and ':' not in channel['auth']:
+						raise InvalidConfig(f'Invalid channel {key!r} auth: must contain a colon')
 
-				if 'active' in channel:
-					if channel['active'] is not True and channel['active'] is not False:
-						raise InvalidConfig(f'Invalid channel {key!r} active: must be true or false')
-				else:
+				if 'active' not in channel:
 					channel['active'] = True
+				if channel['active'] is not True and channel['active'] is not False:
+					raise InvalidConfig(f'Invalid channel {key!r} active: must be true or false')
 
 				if 'hidden' not in channel:
 					channel['hidden'] = False