diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 16f16a40..66d302c7 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ### Fixed
 - All pcbnew plot formats generated gerber job files
+- Most formats that needed layers didn't complain when ommited
 
 ## [0.2.4] - 2020-05-19
 ### Changed
diff --git a/kiplot/config_reader.py b/kiplot/config_reader.py
index 517ec5be..f464288f 100644
--- a/kiplot/config_reader.py
+++ b/kiplot/config_reader.py
@@ -21,6 +21,12 @@ except ImportError:  # pragma: no cover
     sys.exit(misc.NO_YAML_MODULE)
 
 
+# note - type IDs are strings form the _config_, not the internal
+# strings used as enums (in plot_config)
+ANY_LAYER = ['gerber', 'ps', 'svg', 'hpgl', 'pdf', 'dxf']
+ANY_DRILL = ['excellon', 'gerb_drill']
+
+
 class CfgReader(object):
     def __init__(self):
         pass
@@ -147,11 +153,6 @@ class CfgYamlReader(CfgReader):
 
     def _parse_out_opts(self, otype, options, name):
 
-        # note - type IDs are strings form the _config_, not the internal
-        # strings used as enums (in plot_config)
-        ANY_LAYER = ['gerber', 'ps', 'svg', 'hpgl', 'pdf', 'dxf']
-        ANY_DRILL = ['excellon', 'gerb_drill']
-
         # mappings from YAML keys to type_option keys
         MAPPINGS = [
             {
@@ -524,7 +525,7 @@ class CfgYamlReader(CfgReader):
         try:
             layers = o_obj['layers']
         except KeyError:
-            if otype == 'pdf_pcb_print':
+            if otype == 'pdf_pcb_print' or otype in ANY_LAYER:
                 logger.error('You must specify the layers for `' + name +
                              '` ('+otype+')')
                 sys.exit(misc.EXIT_BAD_CONFIG)