diff --git a/lua/core/utils.lua b/lua/core/utils.lua
index fe2cfaa..87eea50 100644
--- a/lua/core/utils.lua
+++ b/lua/core/utils.lua
@@ -3,9 +3,12 @@ local merge_tb = vim.tbl_deep_extend
 
 M.load_config = function()
   local config = require "core.default_config"
-  local chadrc_exists, chadrc = pcall(require, "custom.chadrc")
+
+  -- nvim_get_runtime_file always uses forward slashes regardless of platform
+  local chadrc_exists = vim.api.nvim_get_runtime_file('lua/custom/chadrc.lua', false)[1]
 
   if chadrc_exists then
+    local chadrc = require  "custom.chadrc"
     -- merge user config if it exists and is a table; otherwise display an error
     if type(chadrc) == "table" then
       config.mappings = M.remove_disabled_keys(chadrc.mappings, config.mappings)