diff --git a/setup.c b/setup.c
index fc592dc6dd..50131be7cc 100644
--- a/setup.c
+++ b/setup.c
@@ -559,6 +559,8 @@ static enum extension_result handle_extension_v0(const char *var,
 			data->precious_objects = git_config_bool(var, value);
 			return EXTENSION_OK;
 		} else if (!strcmp(ext, "partialclone")) {
+			if (!value)
+				return config_error_nonbool(var);
 			data->partial_clone = xstrdup(value);
 			return EXTENSION_OK;
 		} else if (!strcmp(ext, "worktreeconfig")) {