diff --git a/source/src/templates.cpp b/source/src/templates.cpp
index db40ab9..54c8873 100644
--- a/source/src/templates.cpp
+++ b/source/src/templates.cpp
@@ -525,12 +525,18 @@
         ASSERT(mSources.empty(), "Template manager already loaded (sources are not empty).");
         ASSERT(gConfig().is_config_set(), "Config not set.");
         ASSERT(!mLoaded, "Template manager already loaded.");
+        
+        // Add local template sources only if the paths exist and are directories
         auto local_template_paths = gConfig().get_local_template_paths();
-        if (local_template_paths.empty())
-            return;
-        for (const auto& path : local_template_paths) 
-            mSources.push_back(std::make_unique<template_source_local>(path));
+        for (const auto& path : local_template_paths) {
+            if (std::filesystem::exists(path) && std::filesystem::is_directory(path)) {
+                mSources.push_back(std::make_unique<template_source_local>(path));
+            } else {
+                info << "Skipping non-existent or invalid local template path: " << path << std::endl;
+            }
+        }
 
+        // Add registry sources - these should always be added
         auto registry_urls = gConfig().get_template_registry_urls();
         for (const auto& url : registry_urls) 
             mSources.push_back(std::make_unique<template_source_registry>(url));