diff --git a/charmtools/charms.py b/charmtools/charms.py
index facc2ac7..3a4f3414 100644
--- a/charmtools/charms.py
+++ b/charmtools/charms.py
@@ -717,6 +717,7 @@ def validate_deployment(charm, linter):
     deployment = charm['deployment']
     if not isinstance(deployment, dict):
         linter.err('deployment: must be a dict of config')
+        return
     
     known_field_types = {
         'type': str,
diff --git a/tests/test_charm_proof.py b/tests/test_charm_proof.py
index 0a5ee30a..2040b99f 100644
--- a/tests/test_charm_proof.py
+++ b/tests/test_charm_proof.py
@@ -831,6 +831,18 @@ def test_deployment(self):
         validate_deployment(charm, linter)
         self.assertFalse(linter.err.called)
 
+    def test_invalid_deployment(self):
+        """Charm has invalid deployment."""
+        linter = Mock()
+        charm = {
+            'deployment': [],
+        }
+        validate_deployment(charm, linter)
+        self.assertEqual(linter.err.call_count, 1)
+        linter.err.assert_has_calls([
+            call('deployment: must be a dict of config'),
+        ], any_order=True)
+
     def test_deployment_unsupported_field(self):
         """Charm has the invalid deployment field."""
         linter = Mock()