diff --git a/cylc/flow/commands.py b/cylc/flow/commands.py
index 3481aaaa61..198cd6f71c 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/commands.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/commands.py
@@ -364,7 +364,6 @@ async def reload_workflow(schd: 'Scheduler', reload_global: bool = False):
         # give commands time to complete
         sleep(1)  # give any remove-init's time to complete
 
-
     if reload_global:
         # Reload global config if requested
         LOG.info("Reloading the global configuration.")
@@ -384,7 +383,6 @@ async def reload_workflow(schd: 'Scheduler', reload_global: bool = False):
                 ' again.'
             )
 
-
     # reload the workflow definition
     schd.reload_pending = 'loading the workflow definition'
     schd.update_data_store()  # update workflow status msg
diff --git a/tests/integration/test_reload.py b/tests/integration/test_reload.py
index 0a91c416d0..2871feb83f 100644
--- a/tests/integration/test_reload.py
+++ b/tests/integration/test_reload.py
@@ -171,18 +171,18 @@ async def test_reload_global(
     """)
     assert glbl_cfg(reload=True).get(['platforms','localhost','meta','x']) == '1'
 
-    # Modify the global config file
-    global_config_path.write_text("""
-    [platforms]
-        [[localhost]]
-            [[[meta]]]
-                x = 2
-    """)
-
     id_ = flow(one_conf)
     schd = scheduler(id_)
     async with start(schd) as log:
 
+        # Modify the global config file
+        global_config_path.write_text("""
+        [platforms]
+            [[localhost]]
+                [[[meta]]]
+                    x = 2
+        """)
+
         # reload the workflow and global config
         await commands.run_cmd(commands.reload_workflow, schd, reload_global=True)
 
@@ -196,3 +196,25 @@ async def test_reload_global(
 
         # Task platforms reflect the new config
         assert schd.pool.get_tasks()[0].platform['meta']['x'] == '2'
+
+        # Modify the global config file with an error
+        global_config_path.write_text("""
+        [ERROR]
+            [[localhost]]
+                [[[meta]]]
+                    x = 3
+        """)
+
+        # reload the workflow and global config
+        await commands.run_cmd(commands.reload_workflow, schd, reload_global=True)
+
+        # Error is noted in the log
+        assert log_filter(
+            log,
+            contains=(
+                'This is probably due to an issue with the new configuration.'
+            )
+        )
+
+        # Task platforms should be the last valid value
+        assert schd.pool.get_tasks()[0].platform['meta']['x'] == '2'