diff --git a/plugins/key_providers/drupal_variable.inc b/plugins/key_providers/drupal_variable.inc
index cd848bb..fb2912f 100644
--- a/plugins/key_providers/drupal_variable.inc
+++ b/plugins/key_providers/drupal_variable.inc
@@ -7,19 +7,34 @@
 
 $plugin = array(
   'title' => t('Drupal encrypt_drupal_variable_key variable'),
-  'description' => t("Use a variable called encrypt_drupal_variable_key, preferably set in your settings.php $conf array."),
+  'description' => t('Use a variable called encrypt_drupal_variable_key, preferably set in your settings.php $conf array.'),
   'key callback' => 'encrypt_get_encrypt_drupal_variable_key',
   'settings form' => NULL,
+  'dependency callback' => '_encrypt_drupal_variable_is_present',
 );
 
 /**
- * Callback method to return Drupal's private key.
+ * Callback function to return a variable.
  */
 function encrypt_get_encrypt_drupal_variable_key() {
   $key = variable_get('encrypt_drupal_variable_key', NULL);
   if (empty($key)) {
-    watchdog('encrypt', "You need to set the $conf['encrypt_drupal_variable_key'] in your settings.php.", array(), WATCHDOG_EMERGENCY);
-    drupal_set_message("Encryption settings are insufficient. See your site log for more information.")
+    watchdog('encrypt', "You need to set the encrypt_drupal_variable_key variable, preferably in $conf in your settings.php.", array(), WATCHDOG_EMERGENCY);
+    drupal_set_message("Encryption settings are insufficient. See your site log for more information.");
   }
-  return '';
+  return $key;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Callback function to validate the variable is present.
+ */
+function _encrypt_drupal_variable_is_present() {
+  $errors = array();
+
+  $key = variable_get('encrypt_drupal_variable_key', NULL);
+  if (empty($key)) {
+    $errors[] = t('The encrypt_drupal_variable_key is currently null. You should set it, preferably in $conf in your settings.php.');
+  }
+
+  return $errors;
 }