diff --git a/lib/newfol/database.py b/lib/newfol/database.py
index 0193cb3..649f2b9 100644
--- a/lib/newfol/database.py
+++ b/lib/newfol/database.py
@@ -369,7 +369,11 @@ class Schema:
             elif rectype in ['pvu', 'preview']:
                 pass
             elif rectype in ['col', 'column']:
-                self._columns = int(i.fields[1])
+                try:
+                    self._columns = int(i.fields[1])
+                except ValueError:
+                    raise newfol.exception.SchemaError("has non-integral " +
+                                                       "number of columns")
             elif rectype in ['txn', 'transaction']:
                 self._txntype = i.fields[1:]
             elif rectype in ['dpy', 'display']: