diff --git a/dynamic.c b/dynamic.c
index bb26a08176..6be44a8900 100644
--- a/dynamic.c
+++ b/dynamic.c
@@ -156,14 +156,8 @@ void init_libretro_sym(void)
 
    if (!*g_settings.libretro)
    {
-#if defined(_WIN32)
-      const char *libretro_path = "retro.dll";
-#elif defined(__APPLE__)
-      const char *libretro_path = "libretro.dylib";
-#else
-      const char *libretro_path = "libretro.so";
-#endif
-      strlcpy(g_settings.libretro, libretro_path, sizeof(g_settings.libretro));
+      RARCH_ERR("RetroArch is built for dynamic libretro, but libretro_path is not set. Cannot continue.\n");
+      rarch_fail(1, "init_libretro_sym()");
    }
 #endif
 
diff --git a/retroarch.cfg b/retroarch.cfg
index 70a5e7431d..e2c909a9a5 100644
--- a/retroarch.cfg
+++ b/retroarch.cfg
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@
 # This will be overridden by explicit command line options.
 # savestate_directory =
 
-# If enabled, load libretro from a dynamic location.
+# Load libretro from a dynamic location for dynamically built RetroArch.
+# This option is mandatory.
 # libretro_path = "/path/to/libretro.so"
 
 # Environment variables internally in RetroArch.