diff --git a/code/_onclick/hud/credits.dm b/code/_onclick/hud/credits.dm
index 8f20f218ac..702aa1cdcb 100644
--- a/code/_onclick/hud/credits.dm
+++ b/code/_onclick/hud/credits.dm
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #define CREDIT_SPAWN_SPEED 10
 #define CREDIT_ANIMATE_HEIGHT (14 * world.icon_size)
 #define CREDIT_EASE_DURATION 22
-#define CREDITS_PATH "[GLOB.config_dir]contributors.dmi"
+#define CREDITS_PATH "[global.config.directory]/contributors.dmi"
 
 /client/proc/RollCredits()
 	set waitfor = FALSE
diff --git a/code/controllers/configuration/configuration.dm b/code/controllers/configuration/configuration.dm
index 6e2a050fd0..c1fc1f076e 100644
--- a/code/controllers/configuration/configuration.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/configuration/configuration.dm
@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
-GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(config_dir, "config/")
-GLOBAL_PROTECT(config_dir)
-
 /datum/controller/configuration
 	name = "Configuration"
 
+	var/directory = "config"
+
 	var/hiding_entries_by_type = TRUE	//Set for readability, admins can set this to FALSE if they want to debug it
 	var/list/entries
 	var/list/entries_by_type
@@ -20,11 +19,12 @@ GLOBAL_PROTECT(config_dir)
 
 	var/motd
 
-/datum/controller/configuration/New()
-	config = src
+/datum/controller/configuration/proc/Load()
+	if(entries)
+		CRASH("[THIS_PROC_TYPE_WEIRD] called more than once!")
 	InitEntries()
 	LoadModes()
-	if(fexists("config/config.txt") && LoadEntries("config.txt") <= 1)
+	if(fexists("[directory]/config.txt") && LoadEntries("config.txt") <= 1)
 		log_config("No $include directives found in config.txt! Loading legacy game_options/dbconfig/comms files...")
 		LoadEntries("game_options.txt")
 		LoadEntries("dbconfig.txt")
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ GLOBAL_PROTECT(config_dir)
 	stack = stack + filename_to_test
 
 	log_config("Loading config file [filename]...")
-	var/list/lines = world.file2list("[GLOB.config_dir][filename]")
+	var/list/lines = world.file2list("[directory]/[filename]")
 	var/list/_entries = entries
 	for(var/L in lines)
 		if(!L)
@@ -131,10 +131,11 @@ GLOBAL_PROTECT(config_dir)
 	++.
 
 /datum/controller/configuration/can_vv_get(var_name)
-	return (var_name != "entries_by_type" || !hiding_entries_by_type) && ..()
+	return (var_name != NAMEOF(src, entries_by_type) || !hiding_entries_by_type) && ..()
 
 /datum/controller/configuration/vv_edit_var(var_name, var_value)
-	return !(var_name in list("entries_by_type", "entries")) && ..()
+	var/list/banned_edits = list(NAMEOF(src, entries_by_type), NAMEOF(src, entries), NAMEOF(src, directory))
+	return !(var_name in banned_edits) && ..()
 
 /datum/controller/configuration/stat_entry()
 	if(!statclick)
@@ -196,14 +197,14 @@ GLOBAL_PROTECT(config_dir)
 	votable_modes += "secret"
 
 /datum/controller/configuration/proc/LoadMOTD()
-	motd = file2text("[GLOB.config_dir]/motd.txt")
+	motd = file2text("[directory]/motd.txt")
 	var/tm_info = GLOB.revdata.GetTestMergeInfo()
 	if(motd || tm_info)
 		motd = motd ? "[motd]<br>[tm_info]" : tm_info
 
 /datum/controller/configuration/proc/loadmaplist(filename)
 	log_config("Loading config file [filename]...")
-	filename = "[GLOB.config_dir][filename]"
+	filename = "[directory]/[filename]"
 	var/list/Lines = world.file2list(filename)
 
 	var/datum/map_config/currentmap = null
diff --git a/code/controllers/master.dm b/code/controllers/master.dm
index 92a94bf428..57c2323c42 100644
--- a/code/controllers/master.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/master.dm
@@ -61,8 +61,9 @@ GLOBAL_REAL(Master, /datum/controller/master) = new
 	var/static/current_ticklimit = TICK_LIMIT_RUNNING
 
 /datum/controller/master/New()
+	config = new
 	// Highlander-style: there can only be one! Kill off the old and replace it with the new.
-	
+
 	if(!random_seed)
 		random_seed = rand(1, 1e9)
 		rand_seed(random_seed)
diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/job.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/job.dm
index 87925f80e1..d87496d5ac 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/job.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/job.dm
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(job)
 
 
 /datum/controller/subsystem/job/proc/LoadJobs()
-	var/jobstext = file2text("config/jobs.txt")
+	var/jobstext = file2text("[global.config.directory]/jobs.txt")
 	for(var/datum/job/J in occupations)
 		var/regex/jobs = new("[J.title]=(-1|\\d+),(-1|\\d+)")
 		jobs.Find(jobstext)
diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/mapping.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/mapping.dm
index 90f3380b81..6018445189 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/mapping.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/mapping.dm
@@ -229,8 +229,8 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(the_station_areas)
 
 /datum/controller/subsystem/mapping/proc/preloadRuinTemplates()
 	// Still supporting bans by filename
-	var/list/banned = generateMapList("config/lavaruinblacklist.txt")
-	banned += generateMapList("config/spaceruinblacklist.txt")
+	var/list/banned = generateMapList("[global.config.directory]/lavaruinblacklist.txt")
+	banned += generateMapList("[global.config.directory]/spaceruinblacklist.txt")
 
 	for(var/item in sortList(subtypesof(/datum/map_template/ruin), /proc/cmp_ruincost_priority))
 		var/datum/map_template/ruin/ruin_type = item
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(the_station_areas)
 			space_ruins_templates[R.name] = R
 
 /datum/controller/subsystem/mapping/proc/preloadShuttleTemplates()
-	var/list/unbuyable = generateMapList("config/unbuyableshuttles.txt")
+	var/list/unbuyable = generateMapList("[global.config.directory]/unbuyableshuttles.txt")
 
 	for(var/item in subtypesof(/datum/map_template/shuttle))
 		var/datum/map_template/shuttle/shuttle_type = item
diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
index 1d4316f2b2..4894edb6dd 100755
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(ticker)
 		"aiff" = TRUE
 	)
 
-	var/list/provisional_title_music = flist("config/title_music/sounds/")
+	var/list/provisional_title_music = flist("[global.config.directory]/title_music/sounds/")
 	var/list/music = list()
 	var/use_rare_music = prob(1)
 
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(ticker)
 		music = world.file2list(ROUND_START_MUSIC_LIST, "\n")
 		login_music = pick(music)
 	else
-		login_music = "config/title_music/sounds/[pick(music)]"
+		login_music = "[global.config.directory]/title_music/sounds/[pick(music)]"
 
 	crewobjlist = typesof(/datum/objective/crew)
 	miscreantobjlist = (typesof(/datum/objective/miscreant) - /datum/objective/miscreant)
diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/title.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/title.dm
index 4cdde58d33..6168ca0905 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/title.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/title.dm
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(title)
 			previous_icon = new(previous_icon)
 	fdel("data/previous_title.dat")
 
-	var/list/provisional_title_screens = flist("config/title_screens/images/")
+	var/list/provisional_title_screens = flist("[global.config.directory]/title_screens/images/")
 	var/list/title_screens = list()
 	var/use_rare_screens = prob(1)
 
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(title)
 		break
 		
 	if(length(title_screens))
-		file_path = "config/title_screens/images/[pick(title_screens)]"
+		file_path = "[global.config.directory]/title_screens/images/[pick(title_screens)]"
 	
 	if(!file_path)
 		file_path = "icons/default_title.dmi"
diff --git a/code/datums/ai_laws.dm b/code/datums/ai_laws.dm
index c12a08a792..e45ff4535b 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai_laws.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai_laws.dm
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@
 
 /datum/ai_laws/custom/New() //This reads silicon_laws.txt and allows server hosts to set custom AI starting laws.
 	..()
-	for(var/line in world.file2list("config/silicon_laws.txt"))
+	for(var/line in world.file2list("[global.config.directory]/silicon_laws.txt"))
 		if(!line)
 			continue
 		if(findtextEx(line,"#",1,2))
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/AI_modules.dm b/code/game/objects/items/AI_modules.dm
index 512d1fe9b2..cdf9d5e333 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/AI_modules.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/AI_modules.dm
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ AI MODULES
 
 /obj/item/aiModule/core/full/custom/Initialize()
 	. = ..()
-	for(var/line in world.file2list("config/silicon_laws.txt"))
+	for(var/line in world.file2list("[global.config.directory]/silicon_laws.txt"))
 		if(!line)
 			continue
 		if(findtextEx(line,"#",1,2))
diff --git a/code/game/world.dm b/code/game/world.dm
index 2da8c849de..8eca2affc2 100644
--- a/code/game/world.dm
+++ b/code/game/world.dm
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ GLOBAL_PROTECT(security_mode)
 
 	make_datum_references_lists()	//initialises global lists for referencing frequently used datums (so that we only ever do it once)
 
-	new /datum/controller/configuration
+	config.Load()
 
 	//SetupLogs depends on the RoundID, so lets check
 	//DB schema and set RoundID if we can
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ GLOBAL_PROTECT(security_mode)
 
 /world/proc/SetupExternalRSC()
 #if (PRELOAD_RSC == 0)
-	GLOB.external_rsc_urls = world.file2list("config/external_rsc_urls.txt","\n")
+	GLOB.external_rsc_urls = world.file2list("[global.config.directory]/external_rsc_urls.txt","\n")
 	var/i=1
 	while(i<=GLOB.external_rsc_urls.len)
 		if(GLOB.external_rsc_urls[i])
diff --git a/code/modules/admin/admin_ranks.dm b/code/modules/admin/admin_ranks.dm
index 7332eab8d0..6824171f80 100644
--- a/code/modules/admin/admin_ranks.dm
+++ b/code/modules/admin/admin_ranks.dm
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ GLOBAL_PROTECT(admin_ranks)
 	if(CONFIG_GET(flag/admin_legacy_system))
 		var/previous_rights = 0
 		//load text from file and process each line separately
-		for(var/line in world.file2list("config/admin_ranks.txt"))
+		for(var/line in world.file2list("[global.config.directory]/admin_ranks.txt"))
 			if(!line)
 				continue
 			if(findtextEx(line,"#",1,2))
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ GLOBAL_PROTECT(admin_ranks)
 
 	if(CONFIG_GET(flag/admin_legacy_system))
 		//load text from file
-		var/list/lines = world.file2list("config/admins.txt")
+		var/list/lines = world.file2list("[global.config.directory]/admins.txt")
 
 		//process each line separately
 		for(var/line in lines)
diff --git a/code/modules/admin/verbs/deadsay.dm b/code/modules/admin/verbs/deadsay.dm
index 491d058fea..8d24e92e81 100644
--- a/code/modules/admin/verbs/deadsay.dm
+++ b/code/modules/admin/verbs/deadsay.dm
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
 	if (!msg)
 		return
-	var/static/nicknames = world.file2list("config/admin_nicknames.txt")
+	var/static/nicknames = world.file2list("[global.config.directory]/admin_nicknames.txt")
 
 	var/rendered = "<span class='game deadsay'><span class='prefix'>DEAD:</span> <span class='name'>ADMIN([src.holder.fakekey ? pick(nicknames) : src.key])</span> says, <span class='message'>\"[msg]\"</span></span>"
 
diff --git a/code/modules/admin/whitelist.dm b/code/modules/admin/whitelist.dm
index 082936e0e8..55206f6deb 100644
--- a/code/modules/admin/whitelist.dm
+++ b/code/modules/admin/whitelist.dm
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#define WHITELISTFILE "config/whitelist.txt"
+#define WHITELISTFILE "[global.config.directory]/whitelist.txt"
 
 GLOBAL_LIST(whitelist)
 GLOBAL_PROTECT(whitelist)
diff --git a/code/modules/awaymissions/zlevel.dm b/code/modules/awaymissions/zlevel.dm
index 84e1977179..0f992d55d9 100644
--- a/code/modules/awaymissions/zlevel.dm
+++ b/code/modules/awaymissions/zlevel.dm
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // How much "space" we give the edge of the map
-GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(potentialRandomZlevels, generateMapList(filename = "config/awaymissionconfig.txt"))
+GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(potentialRandomZlevels, generateMapList(filename = "[global.config.directory]/awaymissionconfig.txt"))
 
 /proc/createRandomZlevel()
 	if(GLOB.awaydestinations.len)	//crude, but it saves another var!