diff --git a/lib/hotsheet/configuration.rb b/lib/hotsheet/configuration.rb
index b8f7fcd..6c8c9fa 100644
--- a/lib/hotsheet/configuration.rb
+++ b/lib/hotsheet/configuration.rb
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ def initialize(model_name)
       end
 
       def validate!
+        return unless ActiveRecord::Base.connection.table_exists?(model_class.table_name)
+
         ensure_only_one_attribute_set
         validate_attribute_existence
       end
@@ -41,7 +43,6 @@ def ensure_only_one_attribute_set
       end
 
       def validate_attribute_existence
-        model_class = model_name.to_s.constantize
         all_attributes = model_class.column_names
 
         (included_attributes + excluded_attributes).each do |attr|
@@ -50,6 +51,10 @@ def validate_attribute_existence
           end
         end
       end
+
+      def model_class
+        model_name.to_s.constantize
+      end
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/lib/configuration_spec.rb b/spec/lib/configuration_spec.rb
index ee65579..3ed250b 100644
--- a/spec/lib/configuration_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/lib/configuration_spec.rb
@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@ def self.name
           "Author"
         end
 
+        def self.table_name
+          "authors"
+        end
+
         def self.column_names
           %w[id name birthdate created_at updated_at]
         end