diff --git a/mysql-test/lib/My/ConfigFactory.pm b/mysql-test/lib/My/ConfigFactory.pm
index 3249a06256c..5a5b691998c 100644
--- a/mysql-test/lib/My/ConfigFactory.pm
+++ b/mysql-test/lib/My/ConfigFactory.pm
@@ -347,8 +347,15 @@ sub resolve_at_variable {
     or croak "There is no group named '$group_name' that ",
       "can be used to resolve '$option_name' for test '$self->{testname}'";
 
-    my $value= $from_group->value($option_name) || '';
-    $res .= $before.$value;
+    my $value= $from_group->value($option_name);
+    if (!defined($value))
+    {
+      ::mtr_verbose("group: $group_name  option_name: $option_name is undefined");
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      $res .= $before.$value;
+    }
   }
   $res .= $after;