diff --git a/viper.go b/viper.go
index f17790e..bad121e 100644
--- a/viper.go
+++ b/viper.go
@@ -802,8 +802,10 @@ func (v *Viper) find(key string) interface{} {
 		if source != nil {
 			if reflect.TypeOf(source).Kind() == reflect.Map {
 				val := v.searchMap(cast.ToStringMap(source), path[1:])
-				jww.TRACE.Println(key, "found in nested config:", val)
-				return val
+				if val != nil {
+					jww.TRACE.Println(key, "found in nested config:", val)
+					return val
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}