diff --git a/beetsplug/lastgenre/__init__.py b/beetsplug/lastgenre/__init__.py
index dcf5b2fe2..fb68fb247 100644
--- a/beetsplug/lastgenre/__init__.py
+++ b/beetsplug/lastgenre/__init__.py
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ from beets import library
 log = logging.getLogger('beets')
 
 LASTFM = pylast.LastFMNetwork(api_key=plugins.LASTFM_KEY)
-C14N_TREE = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'genres-tree.yaml')
 
 PYLAST_EXCEPTIONS = (
     pylast.WSError,
@@ -113,12 +112,16 @@ def find_parents(candidate, branches):
 
 # Main plugin logic.
 
+WHITELIST = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'genres.txt')
+C14N_TREE = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'genres-tree.yaml')
+
+
 class LastGenrePlugin(plugins.BeetsPlugin):
     def __init__(self):
         super(LastGenrePlugin, self).__init__()
 
         self.config.add({
-            'whitelist': os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'genres.txt'),
+            'whitelist': None,
             'min_weight': 10,
             'count': 1,
             'fallback': None,
@@ -139,13 +142,20 @@ class LastGenrePlugin(plugins.BeetsPlugin):
 
         self._genre_cache = {}
 
-        # Read the whitelist file.
+        # Read the whitelist file if enabled.
         self.whitelist = set()
-        with open(self.config['whitelist'].as_filename()) as f:
-            for line in f:
-                line = line.decode('utf8').strip().lower()
-                if line and not line.startswith(u'#'):
-                    self.whitelist.add(line)
+        wl_filename = self.config['whitelist'].get()
+        if wl_filename is not None:
+            wl_filename = wl_filename.strip()
+            if not wl_filename:
+                wl_filename = WHITELIST
+            wl_filename = normpath(wl_filename)
+            with open(wl_filename, 'r') as f:
+                # with open(self.config['whitelist'].as_filename()) as f:
+                for line in f:
+                    line = line.decode('utf8').strip().lower()
+                    if line and not line.startswith(u'#'):
+                        self.whitelist.add(line)
 
         # Read the genres tree for canonicalization if enabled.
         self.c14n_branches = []