diff --git a/monkey/common/utils/file_utils.py b/monkey/common/utils/file_utils.py
index 225fb8732..6110cd020 100644
--- a/monkey/common/utils/file_utils.py
+++ b/monkey/common/utils/file_utils.py
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 import os
 
 
+class InvalidPath(Exception):
+    pass
+
+
 def expand_path(path: str) -> str:
+    if not path:
+        raise InvalidPath("Empty path provided")
     return os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
diff --git a/monkey/infection_monkey/ransomware/ransomware_payload.py b/monkey/infection_monkey/ransomware/ransomware_payload.py
index a58b50545..f2e3eb476 100644
--- a/monkey/infection_monkey/ransomware/ransomware_payload.py
+++ b/monkey/infection_monkey/ransomware/ransomware_payload.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from pprint import pformat
 from typing import List, Optional, Tuple
 
-from common.utils.file_utils import expand_path
+from common.utils.file_utils import InvalidPath, expand_path
 from infection_monkey.ransomware.bitflip_encryptor import BitflipEncryptor
 from infection_monkey.ransomware.file_selectors import select_production_safe_target_files
 from infection_monkey.ransomware.targeted_file_extensions import TARGETED_FILE_EXTENSIONS
@@ -28,15 +28,7 @@ class RansomwarePayload:
         self._encryption_enabled = config["encryption"]["enabled"]
         self._readme_enabled = config["other_behaviors"]["readme"]
 
-        target_directories = config["encryption"]["directories"]
-        self._target_dir = Path(
-            expand_path(
-                target_directories["windows_target_dir"]
-                if is_windows_os()
-                else target_directories["linux_target_dir"]
-            )
-        )
-
+        self._target_dir = RansomwarePayload.get_target_dir(config)
         self._new_file_extension = EXTENSION
         self._valid_file_extensions_for_encryption = TARGETED_FILE_EXTENSIONS.copy()
         self._valid_file_extensions_for_encryption.discard(self._new_file_extension)
@@ -44,8 +36,22 @@ class RansomwarePayload:
         self._encryptor = BitflipEncryptor(chunk_size=CHUNK_SIZE)
         self._telemetry_messenger = telemetry_messenger
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def get_target_dir(config: dict):
+        target_directories = config["encryption"]["directories"]
+        if is_windows_os():
+            target_dir_field = target_directories["windows_target_dir"]
+        else:
+            target_dir_field = target_directories["linux_target_dir"]
+
+        try:
+            return Path(expand_path(target_dir_field))
+        except InvalidPath as e:
+            LOG.debug(f"Target ransomware dir set to None: {e}")
+            return None
+
     def run_payload(self):
-        if self._encryption_enabled:
+        if self._encryption_enabled and self._target_dir:
             LOG.info("Running ransomware payload")
             file_list = self._find_files()
             self._encrypt_files(file_list)
diff --git a/monkey/tests/unit_tests/common/utils/test_common_file_utils.py b/monkey/tests/unit_tests/common/utils/test_common_file_utils.py
index 226a403b8..b67341cfe 100644
--- a/monkey/tests/unit_tests/common/utils/test_common_file_utils.py
+++ b/monkey/tests/unit_tests/common/utils/test_common_file_utils.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 import os
 
-from common.utils.file_utils import expand_path
+import pytest
+
+from common.utils.file_utils import InvalidPath, expand_path
 
 
 def test_expand_user(patched_home_env):
@@ -15,3 +17,8 @@ def test_expand_vars(patched_home_env):
     expected_path = os.path.join(patched_home_env, "test")
 
     assert expand_path(input_path) == expected_path
+
+
+def test_expand_path__empty_path_provided():
+    with pytest.raises(InvalidPath):
+        expand_path("")