diff --git a/pglab/QueryParamListController.cpp b/pglab/QueryParamListController.cpp
index 8c018b9..351bda9 100644
--- a/pglab/QueryParamListController.cpp
+++ b/pglab/QueryParamListController.cpp
@@ -27,8 +27,12 @@ Pgsql::Params QueryParamListController::params() const
 		// some types have two names that are in seperate fields
 		// this function only checks one field currently :(
 		// for example integer vs int4, bigint vs int8
-		Oid oid = types->getByName(e.type)->oid();
-		params.add(e.value, oid);
+		auto type = types->getByName(e.type);
+		if (type) {
+			Oid oid = type->oid();
+			params.add(e.value, oid);
+		}
+		throw std::runtime_error("missing type in parameter list");
 	}
 	return params;
 }