diff --git a/src/lib/charm/gluster/block.py b/src/lib/charm/gluster/block.py
index ccb0c84..92a8e05 100644
--- a/src/lib/charm/gluster/block.py
+++ b/src/lib/charm/gluster/block.py
@@ -652,9 +652,10 @@ def get_manual_bricks() -> Result:
     log("Gathering list of manually specified brick devices")
     brick_list = []
     manual_config_brick_devices = config("brick_devices")
-    for brick in manual_config_brick_devices.split(" "):
-        if brick is not None:
-            brick_list.append(brick)
+    if manual_config_brick_devices:
+        for brick in manual_config_brick_devices.split(" "):
+            if brick is not None:
+                brick_list.append(brick)
     log("List of manual storage brick devices: {}".format(brick_list))
     bricks = scan_devices(brick_list)
     if bricks.is_err():
diff --git a/src/reactive/main.py b/src/reactive/main.py
index 132eb88..d1d5f38 100644
--- a/src/reactive/main.py
+++ b/src/reactive/main.py
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ def create_volume(peers: Dict[str, Dict],
     log("Got brick list: {}".format(brick_list.value))
     log("Creating volume of type {} with brick list {}".format(
         cluster_type, [str(b) for b in brick_list.value]), INFO)
+    if not brick_list.value:
+        return Err("No block devices detected")
 
     result = None
     if cluster_type is VolumeType.Distribute:
@@ -668,9 +670,16 @@ def update_status() -> None:
 
     local_bricks = get_local_bricks(volume_name)
     if local_bricks.is_ok():
-        status_set(workload_state="active",
-                   message="Unit is ready ({} bricks)".format(
-                       len(local_bricks.value)))
+        if local_bricks.value:
+            status_set(workload_state="active",
+                       message="Unit is ready ({} bricks)".format(
+                           len(local_bricks.value)))
+        else:
+            status_set(
+                workload_state="blocked",
+                message='No block devices detected using '
+                        'current configuration')
+
         return
     else:
         status_set(workload_state="blocked",