diff --git a/Koha/Exceptions/Ill.pm b/Koha/Exceptions/Ill.pm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9e1376109b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Koha/Exceptions/Ill.pm
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+package Koha::Exceptions::Ill;
+
+# This file is part of Koha.
+#
+# Koha is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the
+# terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
+# Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later
+# version.
+#
+# Koha is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY
+# WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR
+# A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+# with Koha; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+# 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+
+use Modern::Perl;
+
+use Exception::Class (
+
+    'Koha::Exceptions::Ill' => {
+        description => 'Something went wrong!',
+    },
+    'Koha::Exceptions::Ill::InvalidBackendId' => {
+        isa => 'Koha::Exceptions::Ill',
+        description => "Invalid backend name required",
+    }
+);
+
+=head1 NAME
+
+Koha::Exceptions::Ill - Base class for ILL exceptions
+
+=head1 Exceptions
+
+=head2 Koha::Exceptions::Ill
+
+Generic Ill exception
+
+=head2 Koha::Exceptions::Ill::InvalidBackend
+
+Exception to be used when the required ILL backend is invalid.
+
+=cut
+
+1;
diff --git a/Koha/Illrequest.pm b/Koha/Illrequest.pm
index 5adecb53af..488fa46cd6 100644
--- a/Koha/Illrequest.pm
+++ b/Koha/Illrequest.pm
@@ -18,16 +18,18 @@ package Koha::Illrequest;
 # Koha; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin
 # Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
 
+use Modern::Perl;
+
 use Clone 'clone';
 use File::Basename qw/basename/;
 use Koha::Database;
 use Koha::Email;
+use Koha::Exceptions::Ill;
 use Koha::Illrequest;
 use Koha::Illrequestattributes;
 use Koha::Patron;
 use Mail::Sendmail;
 use Try::Tiny;
-use Modern::Perl;
 
 use base qw(Koha::Object);
 
@@ -139,13 +141,20 @@ sub load_backend {
     my @raw = qw/Koha Illbackends/; # Base Path
 
     my $backend_name = $backend_id || $self->backend;
-    my $location = join "/", @raw, $backend_name, "Base.pm"; # File to load
+
+    unless ( defined $backend_name && $backend_name ne '' ) {
+        Koha::Exceptions::Ill::InvalidBackendId->throw(
+            "An invalid backend ID was requested ('')");
+    }
+
+    my $location = join "/", @raw, $backend_name, "Base.pm";    # File to load
     my $backend_class = join "::", @raw, $backend_name, "Base"; # Package name
     require $location;
     $self->{_my_backend} = $backend_class->new({ config => $self->_config });
     return $self;
 }
 
+
 =head3 _backend
 
     my $backend = $abstract->_backend($new_backend);
@@ -468,10 +477,7 @@ Return a list of available backends.
 
 sub available_backends {
     my ( $self ) = @_;
-    my $backend_dir = $self->_config->backend_dir;
-    my @backends = ();
-    @backends = glob "$backend_dir/*" if ( $backend_dir );
-    @backends = map { basename($_) } @backends;
+    my @backends = $self->_config->available_backends;
     return \@backends;
 }
 
diff --git a/Koha/Illrequest/Config.pm b/Koha/Illrequest/Config.pm
index 3bc78d15e9..5c78e80976 100644
--- a/Koha/Illrequest/Config.pm
+++ b/Koha/Illrequest/Config.pm
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ package Koha::Illrequest::Config;
 # 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
 
 use Modern::Perl;
+
+use File::Basename;
+
 use C4::Context;
 
 =head1 NAME
@@ -100,6 +103,21 @@ sub backend_dir {
     return $self->{configuration}->{backend_directory};
 }
 
+=head3 available_backends
+
+Return a list of available backends.
+
+=cut
+
+sub available_backends {
+    my ( $self ) = @_;
+    my $backend_dir = $self->backend_dir;
+    my @backends = ();
+    @backends = glob "$backend_dir/*" if ( $backend_dir );
+    @backends = map { basename($_) } @backends;
+    return \@backends;
+}
+
 =head3 partner_code
 
     $partner_code = $config->partner_code($new_code);
diff --git a/Koha/Illrequestattribute.pm b/Koha/Illrequestattribute.pm
index 16bc0867a5..cbdee5a3ca 100644
--- a/Koha/Illrequestattribute.pm
+++ b/Koha/Illrequestattribute.pm
@@ -30,11 +30,11 @@ Koha::Illrequestattribute - Koha Illrequestattribute Object class
 
 =head1 API
 
-=head2 Class Methods
+=head2 Internal methods
 
 =cut
 
-=head3 type
+=head3 _type
 
 =cut
 
diff --git a/about.pl b/about.pl
index 61e81c641f..a7daa3780c 100755
--- a/about.pl
+++ b/about.pl
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ use Koha::Acquisition::Currencies;
 use Koha::Patrons;
 use Koha::Caches;
 use Koha::Config::SysPrefs;
+use Koha::Illrequest::Config;
 use C4::Members::Statistics;
 
 #use Smart::Comments '####';
@@ -260,6 +261,19 @@ if ( !defined C4::Context->config('use_zebra_facets') ) {
     }
 }
 
+if ( C4::Context->preference('ILLModule') ) {
+    my $warnILLConfiguration = 0;
+    my $available_ill_backends =
+      ( scalar @{ Koha::Illrequest::Config->new->available_backends } > 0 );
+
+    if ( !$available_ill_backends ) {
+        $template->param( no_ill_backends => 1 );
+        $warnILLConfiguration = 1;
+    }
+
+    $template->param( warnILLConfiguration => $warnILLConfiguration );
+}
+
 # Sco Patron should not contain any other perms than circulate => self_checkout
 if (  C4::Context->preference('WebBasedSelfCheck')
       and C4::Context->preference('AutoSelfCheckAllowed')
diff --git a/ill/ill-requests.pl b/ill/ill-requests.pl
index f6572e494d..140eff90c7 100755
--- a/ill/ill-requests.pl
+++ b/ill/ill-requests.pl
@@ -50,188 +50,190 @@ my ( $template, $patronnumber, $cookie ) = get_template_and_user( {
     flagsrequired => { ill => '*' },
 } );
 
-if ( $op eq 'illview' ) {
-    # View the details of an ILL
-    my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
+# Are we able to actually work?
+my $backends = Koha::Illrequest::Config->new->available_backends;
+my $backends_available = ( scalar @{$backends} > 0 );
+$template->param( backends_available => $backends_available );
 
-    $template->param(
-        request => $request
-    );
+if ( $backends_available ) {
+    if ( $op eq 'illview' ) {
+        # View the details of an ILL
+        my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
 
-} elsif ( $op eq 'create' ) {
-    # We're in the process of creating a request
-    my $request = Koha::Illrequest->new
-        ->load_backend($params->{backend});
-    my $backend_result = $request->backend_create($params);
-    $template->param(
-        whole   => $backend_result,
-        request => $request
-    );
-    handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
+        $template->param(
+            request => $request
+        );
 
-} elsif ( $op eq 'confirm' ) {
-    # Backend 'confirm' method
-    # confirm requires a specific request, so first, find it.
-    my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
-    my $backend_result = $request->backend_confirm($params);
-    $template->param(
-        whole   => $backend_result,
-        request => $request,
-    );
-
-    # handle special commit rules & update type
-    handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
-
-} elsif ( $op eq 'cancel' ) {
-    # Backend 'cancel' method
-    # cancel requires a specific request, so first, find it.
-    my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
-    my $backend_result = $request->backend_cancel($params);
-    $template->param(
-        whole   => $backend_result,
-        request => $request,
-    );
-
-    # handle special commit rules & update type
-    handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
-
-} elsif ( $op eq 'edit_action' ) {
-    # Handle edits to the Illrequest object.
-    # (not the Illrequestattributes)
-    # We simulate the API for backend requests for uniformity.
-    # So, init:
-    my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
-    if ( !$params->{stage} ) {
-        my $backend_result = {
-            error   => 0,
-            status  => '',
-            message => '',
-            method  => 'edit_action',
-            stage   => 'init',
-            next    => '',
-            value   => {}
-        };
+    } elsif ( $op eq 'create' ) {
+        # We're in the process of creating a request
+        my $request = Koha::Illrequest->new->load_backend( $params->{backend} );
+        my $backend_result = $request->backend_create($params);
         $template->param(
             whole   => $backend_result,
             request => $request
         );
+        handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
+
+    } elsif ( $op eq 'confirm' ) {
+        # Backend 'confirm' method
+        # confirm requires a specific request, so first, find it.
+        my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
+        my $backend_result = $request->backend_confirm($params);
+        $template->param(
+            whole   => $backend_result,
+            request => $request,
+        );
+
+        # handle special commit rules & update type
+        handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
+
+    } elsif ( $op eq 'cancel' ) {
+        # Backend 'cancel' method
+        # cancel requires a specific request, so first, find it.
+        my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
+        my $backend_result = $request->backend_cancel($params);
+        $template->param(
+            whole   => $backend_result,
+            request => $request,
+        );
+
+        # handle special commit rules & update type
+        handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
+
+    } elsif ( $op eq 'edit_action' ) {
+        # Handle edits to the Illrequest object.
+        # (not the Illrequestattributes)
+        # We simulate the API for backend requests for uniformity.
+        # So, init:
+        my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
+        if ( !$params->{stage} ) {
+            my $backend_result = {
+                error   => 0,
+                status  => '',
+                message => '',
+                method  => 'edit_action',
+                stage   => 'init',
+                next    => '',
+                value   => {}
+            };
+            $template->param(
+                whole   => $backend_result,
+                request => $request
+            );
+        } else {
+            # Commit:
+            # Save the changes
+            $request->borrowernumber($params->{borrowernumber});
+            $request->biblio_id($params->{biblio_id});
+            $request->branchcode($params->{branchcode});
+            $request->notesopac($params->{notesopac});
+            $request->notesstaff($params->{notesstaff});
+            $request->store;
+            my $backend_result = {
+                error   => 0,
+                status  => '',
+                message => '',
+                method  => 'edit_action',
+                stage   => 'commit',
+                next    => 'illlist',
+                value   => {}
+            };
+            handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
+        }
+
+    } elsif ( $op eq 'moderate_action' ) {
+        # Moderate action is required for an ILL submodule / syspref.
+        # Currently still needs to be implemented.
+        redirect_to_list();
+
+    } elsif ( $op eq 'delete_confirm') {
+        my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
+
+        $template->param(
+            request => $request
+        );
+
+    } elsif ( $op eq 'delete' ) {
+
+        # Check if the request is confirmed, if not, redirect
+        # to the confirmation view
+        if ($params->{confirmed}) {
+            # We simply delete the request...
+            Koha::Illrequests->find( $params->{illrequest_id} )->delete;
+            # ... then return to list view.
+            redirect_to_list();
+        } else {
+            print $cgi->redirect(
+                "/cgi-bin/koha/ill/ill-requests.pl?" .
+                "method=delete_confirm&illrequest_id=" .
+                $params->{illrequest_id});
+            exit;
+        }
+
+    } elsif ( $op eq 'mark_completed' ) {
+        my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
+        my $backend_result = $request->mark_completed($params);
+        $template->param(
+            whole => $backend_result,
+            request => $request,
+        );
+
+        # handle special commit rules & update type
+        handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
+
+    } elsif ( $op eq 'generic_confirm' ) {
+        my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
+        $params->{current_branchcode} = C4::Context->mybranch;
+        my $backend_result = $request->generic_confirm($params);
+        $template->param(
+            whole => $backend_result,
+            request => $request,
+        );
+
+        # handle special commit rules & update type
+        handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
+
+    } elsif ( $op eq 'illlist') {
+        # Display all current ILLs
+        my $requests = $illRequests->search();
+
+        $template->param(
+            requests => $requests
+        );
+
+        # If we receive a pre-filter, make it available to the template
+        my $possible_filters = ['borrowernumber'];
+        my $active_filters = [];
+        foreach my $filter(@{$possible_filters}) {
+            if ($params->{$filter}) {
+                push @{$active_filters},
+                    { name => $filter, value => $params->{$filter}};
+            }
+        }
+        if (scalar @{$active_filters} > 0) {
+            $template->param(
+                prefilters => $active_filters
+            );
+        }
     } else {
-        # Commit:
-        # Save the changes
-        $request->borrowernumber($params->{borrowernumber});
-        $request->biblio_id($params->{biblio_id});
-        $request->branchcode($params->{branchcode});
-        $request->notesopac($params->{notesopac});
-        $request->notesstaff($params->{notesstaff});
-        $request->store;
-        my $backend_result = {
-            error   => 0,
-            status  => '',
-            message => '',
-            method  => 'edit_action',
-            stage   => 'commit',
-            next    => 'illlist',
-            value   => {}
-        };
+        my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
+        my $backend_result = $request->custom_capability($op, $params);
+        $template->param(
+            whole => $backend_result,
+            request => $request,
+        );
+
+        # handle special commit rules & update type
         handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
     }
-
-} elsif ( $op eq 'moderate_action' ) {
-    # Moderate action is required for an ILL submodule / syspref.
-    # Currently still needs to be implemented.
-    redirect_to_list();
-
-} elsif ( $op eq 'delete_confirm') {
-    my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
-
-    $template->param(
-        request => $request
-    );
-
-} elsif ( $op eq 'delete' ) {
-
-    # Check if the request is confirmed, if not, redirect
-    # to the confirmation view
-    if ($params->{confirmed} == 1) {
-        # We simply delete the request...
-        my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find(
-            $params->{illrequest_id}
-        )->delete;
-        # ... then return to list view.
-        redirect_to_list();
-    } else {
-        print $cgi->redirect(
-            "/cgi-bin/koha/ill/ill-requests.pl?" .
-            "method=delete_confirm&illrequest_id=" .
-            $params->{illrequest_id});
-    }
-
-} elsif ( $op eq 'mark_completed' ) {
-    my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
-    my $backend_result = $request->mark_completed($params);
-    $template->param(
-        whole => $backend_result,
-        request => $request,
-    );
-
-    # handle special commit rules & update type
-    handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
-
-} elsif ( $op eq 'generic_confirm' ) {
-    my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
-    $params->{current_branchcode} = C4::Context->mybranch;
-    my $backend_result = $request->generic_confirm($params);
-    $template->param(
-        whole => $backend_result,
-        request => $request,
-    );
-
-    # handle special commit rules & update type
-    handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
-
-} elsif ( $op eq 'illlist') {
-    # Display all current ILLs
-    my $requests = $illRequests->search();
-
-    $template->param(
-        requests => $requests
-    );
-
-    # If we receive a pre-filter, make it available to the template
-    my $possible_filters = ['borrowernumber'];
-    my $active_filters = [];
-    foreach my $filter(@{$possible_filters}) {
-        if ($params->{$filter}) {
-            push @{$active_filters},
-                { name => $filter, value => $params->{$filter}};
-        }
-    }
-    if (scalar @{$active_filters} > 0) {
-        $template->param(
-            prefilters => $active_filters
-        );
-    }
-} else {
-    my $request = Koha::Illrequests->find($params->{illrequest_id});
-    my $backend_result = $request->custom_capability($op, $params);
-    $template->param(
-        whole => $backend_result,
-        request => $request,
-    );
-
-    # handle special commit rules & update type
-    handle_commit_maybe($backend_result, $request);
 }
 
-# Get a list of backends
-my $ir = Koha::Illrequest->new;
-
 $template->param(
-    backends    => $ir->available_backends,
-    media       => [ "Book", "Article", "Journal" ],
-    query_type  => $op,
-    branches    => Koha::Libraries->search->unblessed,
-    here_link   => "/cgi-bin/koha/ill/ill-requests.pl"
+    backends   => $backends,
+    media      => [ "Book", "Article", "Journal" ],
+    query_type => $op,
+    branches   => Koha::Libraries->search,
+    here_link  => "/cgi-bin/koha/ill/ill-requests.pl"
 );
 
 output_html_with_http_headers( $cgi, $cookie, $template->output );
@@ -255,4 +257,5 @@ sub handle_commit_maybe {
 
 sub redirect_to_list {
     print $cgi->redirect('/cgi-bin/koha/ill/ill-requests.pl');
+    exit;
 }
diff --git a/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/en/includes/ill-toolbar.inc b/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/en/includes/ill-toolbar.inc
index 3f541d9283..b747ee030b 100644
--- a/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/en/includes/ill-toolbar.inc
+++ b/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/en/includes/ill-toolbar.inc
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 [% USE Koha %]
 [% IF Koha.Preference('ILLModule ') %]
     <div id="toolbar" class="btn-toolbar">
-        [% IF backends.size > 1 %]
+        [% IF backends_available %]
+          [% IF backends.size > 1 %]
             <div class="dropdown btn-group">
                 <button class="btn btn-sm btn-default dropdown-toggle" type="button" id="ill-backend-dropdown" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="true">
                     <i class="fa fa-plus"></i> New ILL request <span class="caret"></span>
@@ -12,10 +13,15 @@
                     [% END %]
                 </ul>
             </div>
-        [% ELSE %]
+          [% ELSE %]
             <a id="ill-new" class="btn btn-sm btn-default" href="/cgi-bin/koha/ill/ill-requests.pl?method=create&amp;backend=[% backends.0 %]">
                 <i class="fa fa-plus"></i> New ILL request
             </a>
+          [% END %]
+        [% ELSE %]
+            <a id="ill-new" class="btn btn-sm btn-default disabled" href="">
+                <i class="fa fa-plus"></i> New ILL request
+            </a>
         [% END %]
         <a id="ill-list" class="btn btn-sm btn-default btn-group" href="/cgi-bin/koha/ill/ill-requests.pl">
             <i class="fa fa-list"></i> List requests
diff --git a/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/en/modules/about.tt b/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/en/modules/about.tt
index a4c0c460ae..42b29743f8 100644
--- a/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/en/modules/about.tt
+++ b/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/en/modules/about.tt
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
         </div>
 
         <div id="sysinfo">
-    [% IF warnPrefBiblioAddsAuthorities || warnPrefEasyAnalyticalRecords || warnPrefAnonymousPatron || warnPrefAnonymousPatron_PatronDoesNotExist || warnNoActiveCurrency || QueryParserError || warnIsRootUser || xml_config_warnings.size || AutoSelfCheckPatronDoesNotHaveSelfCheckPerm || AutoSelfCheckPatronHasTooManyPerm || warnStatisticsFieldsError || warnNoTemplateCaching || has_ai_issues %]
+    [% IF warnPrefBiblioAddsAuthorities || warnPrefEasyAnalyticalRecords || warnPrefAnonymousPatron || warnPrefAnonymousPatron_PatronDoesNotExist || warnNoActiveCurrency || QueryParserError || warnIsRootUser || xml_config_warnings.size || AutoSelfCheckPatronDoesNotHaveSelfCheckPerm || AutoSelfCheckPatronHasTooManyPerm || warnStatisticsFieldsError || warnNoTemplateCaching || warnILLConfiguration || has_ai_issues %]
         [% IF (warnIsRootUser) %]
             <h2>Warning regarding current user</h2>
             <p>You are logged in as the database administrative user. This is not recommended because some parts of Koha will not function as expected when using this account.</p>
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@
             <br/>
         [% END %]
 
-        [% IF warnPrefBiblioAddsAuthorities || warnPrefEasyAnalyticalRecords || warnPrefAnonymousPatron || warnPrefAnonymousPatron_PatronDoesNotExist || warnNoActiveCurrency || QueryParserError || AutoSelfCheckPatronDoesNotHaveSelfCheckPerm || AutoSelfCheckPatronHasTooManyPerm || warnStatisticsFieldsError || warnNoTemplateCaching %]
+        [% IF warnPrefBiblioAddsAuthorities || warnPrefEasyAnalyticalRecords || warnPrefAnonymousPatron || warnPrefAnonymousPatron_PatronDoesNotExist || warnNoActiveCurrency || QueryParserError || AutoSelfCheckPatronDoesNotHaveSelfCheckPerm || AutoSelfCheckPatronHasTooManyPerm || warnStatisticsFieldsError || warnNoTemplateCaching || warnILLConfiguration %]
             <h2>Warnings regarding the system configuration</h2>
             <table>
                 <caption>Preferences and parameters</caption>
@@ -226,6 +226,11 @@
                     That will bring a performance boost to enable it.
                     </td></tr>
                 [% END %]
+                [% IF warnILLConfiguration %]
+                    <tr><th scope="row"><b>Warning</b> </th><td>
+                    [% IF no_ill_backends %]The ILL module is enabled, but there are no backends available.[%END %]
+                    </td></tr>
+                [% END %]
             </table>
         [% END %]
 
diff --git a/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/en/modules/ill/ill-requests.tt b/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/en/modules/ill/ill-requests.tt
index 96943c19ff..e57115bf05 100644
--- a/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/en/modules/ill/ill-requests.tt
+++ b/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/en/modules/ill/ill-requests.tt
@@ -4,8 +4,7 @@
 [% INCLUDE 'doc-head-open.inc' %]
 <title>Koha &rsaquo; ILL requests  &rsaquo;</title>
 [% INCLUDE 'doc-head-close.inc' %]
-<script type="text/javascript" src="[% themelang %]/lib/jquery/plugins/jquery.tablesorter.min.js"></script>
-<script type="text/javascript" src="[% themelang %]/lib/jquery/plugins/jquery.checkboxes.min.js"></script>
+<script type="text/javascript" src="[% interface %]/lib/jquery/plugins/jquery.checkboxes.min.js"></script>
 <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="[% interface %]/[% theme %]/css/datatables.css">
 [% INCLUDE 'datatables.inc' %]
 <script type="text/javascript">
@@ -370,12 +369,11 @@
 
 <div id="breadcrumbs">
     <a href="/cgi-bin/koha/mainpage.pl">Home</a> &rsaquo;
+    <a href="/cgi-bin/koha/ill/ill-requests.pl">ILL requests</a>
     [% IF query_type == 'create' %]
-        <a href=[% parent %]>ILL requests</a> &rsaquo; New request
+         &rsaquo; New request
     [% ELSIF query_type == 'status' %]
-        <a href=[% parent %]>ILL requests</a> &rsaquo; Status
-    [% ELSE %]
-        ILL requests
+         &rsaquo; Status
     [% END %]
 </div>
 
@@ -383,6 +381,9 @@
     <div id="bd">
         <div id="yui-main">
             <div id="interlibraryloans" class="yui-b">
+        [% IF !backends_available %]
+            <div class="dialog message">ILL module configuration problem. Take a look at the <a href="/cgi-bin/koha/about.pl#sysinfo">about page</a></div>
+        [% ELSE %]
                 [% INCLUDE 'ill-toolbar.inc' %]
 
                 [% IF whole.error %]
@@ -680,6 +681,7 @@
                 [% INCLUDE $whole.template %]
 
                 [% END %]
+        [% END %]
             </div>
         </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/koha-tmpl/opac-tmpl/bootstrap/en/modules/opac-illrequests.tt b/koha-tmpl/opac-tmpl/bootstrap/en/modules/opac-illrequests.tt
index e0448c18c1..2fe6991a94 100644
--- a/koha-tmpl/opac-tmpl/bootstrap/en/modules/opac-illrequests.tt
+++ b/koha-tmpl/opac-tmpl/bootstrap/en/modules/opac-illrequests.tt
@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@
         [% ELSE %]
             <div class="span12">
         [% END %]
+          [% IF !backends_available %]
+            <div class="alert">ILL module configuration problem. Contact your administrator.</div>
+          [% ELSE %]
             <div id="illrequests" class="maincontent">
                 [% IF method == 'create' %]
                     <h2>New Interlibrary loan request</h2>
@@ -193,6 +196,7 @@
                         </form>
                     [% END %]
                 </div> <!-- / .maincontent -->
+          [% END %]
             </div> <!-- / .span10/12 -->
         </div> <!-- / .row-fluid -->
     </div> <!-- / .container-fluid -->
diff --git a/opac/opac-illrequests.pl b/opac/opac-illrequests.pl
index 9ff413adf7..4590284184 100755
--- a/opac/opac-illrequests.pl
+++ b/opac/opac-illrequests.pl
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ use C4::Auth;
 use C4::Koha;
 use C4::Output;
 
+use Koha::Illrequest::Config;
 use Koha::Illrequests;
 use Koha::Libraries;
 use Koha::Patrons;
@@ -48,6 +49,11 @@ my ( $template, $loggedinuser, $cookie ) = get_template_and_user({
     authnotrequired => ( C4::Context->preference("OpacPublic") ? 1 : 0 ),
 });
 
+# Are we able to actually work?
+my $backends = Koha::Illrequest::Config->new->available_backends;
+my $backends_available = ( scalar @{$backends} > 0 );
+$template->param( backends_available => $backends_available );
+
 my $op = $params->{'method'} || 'list';
 
 if ( $op eq 'list' ) {
@@ -116,8 +122,6 @@ if ( $op eq 'list' ) {
             print $query->redirect('/cgi-bin/koha/opac-illrequests.pl?message=2');
         }
     }
-
-
 }
 
 $template->param(
diff --git a/t/db_dependent/Illrequests.t b/t/db_dependent/Illrequests.t
index c778bad5f4..688d6d2881 100644
--- a/t/db_dependent/Illrequests.t
+++ b/t/db_dependent/Illrequests.t
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ subtest 'Backend testing (mocks)' => sub {
 
 subtest 'Backend core methods' => sub {
 
-    plan tests => 16;
+    plan tests => 18;
 
     $schema->storage->txn_begin;
 
@@ -371,13 +371,26 @@ subtest 'Backend core methods' => sub {
     $config->set_always('getLimitRules',
                         { default => { count => 0, method => 'active' } });
 
-    my $illrq = $builder->build({source => 'Illrequest'});
-    my $illrq_obj = Koha::Illrequests->find($illrq->{illrequest_id});
-    $illrq_obj->_config($config);
-    $illrq_obj->_backend($backend);
+    my $illrq = $builder->build_object({
+        class => 'Koha::Illrequests',
+        value => { backend => undef }
+    });
+    $illrq->_config($config);
+
+    # Test error conditions (no backend)
+    throws_ok { $illrq->load_backend; }
+        'Koha::Exceptions::Ill::InvalidBackendId',
+        'Exception raised correctly';
+
+    throws_ok { $illrq->load_backend(''); }
+        'Koha::Exceptions::Ill::InvalidBackendId',
+        'Exception raised correctly';
+
+    # Now load the mocked backend
+    $illrq->_backend($backend);
 
     # expandTemplate:
-    is_deeply($illrq_obj->expandTemplate({ test => 1, method => "bar" }),
+    is_deeply($illrq->expandTemplate({ test => 1, method => "bar" }),
               {
                   test => 1,
                   method => "bar",
@@ -394,7 +407,7 @@ subtest 'Backend core methods' => sub {
                          { stage => 'commit', method => 'create' });
     # Test Copyright Clearance
     t::lib::Mocks::mock_preference("ILLModuleCopyrightClearance", "Test Copyright Clearance.");
-    is_deeply($illrq_obj->backend_create({test => 1}),
+    is_deeply($illrq->backend_create({test => 1}),
               {
                   error   => 0,
                   status  => '',
@@ -408,7 +421,7 @@ subtest 'Backend core methods' => sub {
               "Backend create: copyright clearance.");
     t::lib::Mocks::mock_preference("ILLModuleCopyrightClearance", "");
     # Test non-commit
-    is_deeply($illrq_obj->backend_create({test => 1}),
+    is_deeply($illrq->backend_create({test => 1}),
               {
                   stage => 'bar', method => 'create',
                   template => "/tmp/Mock/intra-includes/create.inc",
@@ -416,28 +429,28 @@ subtest 'Backend core methods' => sub {
               },
               "Backend create: arbitrary stage.");
     # Test commit
-    is_deeply($illrq_obj->backend_create({test => 1}),
+    is_deeply($illrq->backend_create({test => 1}),
               {
                   stage => 'commit', method => 'create', permitted => 0,
                   template => "/tmp/Mock/intra-includes/create.inc",
                   opac_template => "/tmp/Mock/opac-includes/create.inc",
               },
               "Backend create: arbitrary stage, not permitted.");
-    is($illrq_obj->status, "QUEUED", "Backend create: queued if restricted.");
+    is($illrq->status, "QUEUED", "Backend create: queued if restricted.");
     $config->set_always('getLimitRules', {});
-    $illrq_obj->status('NEW');
-    is_deeply($illrq_obj->backend_create({test => 1}),
+    $illrq->status('NEW');
+    is_deeply($illrq->backend_create({test => 1}),
               {
                   stage => 'commit', method => 'create', permitted => 1,
                   template => "/tmp/Mock/intra-includes/create.inc",
                   opac_template => "/tmp/Mock/opac-includes/create.inc",
               },
               "Backend create: arbitrary stage, permitted.");
-    is($illrq_obj->status, "NEW", "Backend create: not-queued.");
+    is($illrq->status, "NEW", "Backend create: not-queued.");
 
     # backend_renew
     $backend->set_series('renew', { stage => 'bar', method => 'renew' });
-    is_deeply($illrq_obj->backend_renew({test => 1}),
+    is_deeply($illrq->backend_renew({test => 1}),
               {
                   stage => 'bar', method => 'renew',
                   template => "/tmp/Mock/intra-includes/renew.inc",
@@ -447,7 +460,7 @@ subtest 'Backend core methods' => sub {
 
     # backend_cancel
     $backend->set_series('cancel', { stage => 'bar', method => 'cancel' });
-    is_deeply($illrq_obj->backend_cancel({test => 1}),
+    is_deeply($illrq->backend_cancel({test => 1}),
               {
                   stage => 'bar', method => 'cancel',
                   template => "/tmp/Mock/intra-includes/cancel.inc",
@@ -457,7 +470,7 @@ subtest 'Backend core methods' => sub {
 
     # backend_update_status
     $backend->set_series('update_status', { stage => 'bar', method => 'update_status' });
-    is_deeply($illrq_obj->backend_update_status({test => 1}),
+    is_deeply($illrq->backend_update_status({test => 1}),
               {
                   stage => 'bar', method => 'update_status',
                   template => "/tmp/Mock/intra-includes/update_status.inc",
@@ -467,7 +480,7 @@ subtest 'Backend core methods' => sub {
 
     # backend_confirm
     $backend->set_series('confirm', { stage => 'bar', method => 'confirm' });
-    is_deeply($illrq_obj->backend_confirm({test => 1}),
+    is_deeply($illrq->backend_confirm({test => 1}),
               {
                   stage => 'bar', method => 'confirm',
                   template => "/tmp/Mock/intra-includes/confirm.inc",
@@ -489,7 +502,7 @@ subtest 'Backend core methods' => sub {
         source => 'Borrower',
         value => { categorycode => "ILLTSTLIB" },
     });
-    my $gen_conf = $illrq_obj->generic_confirm({
+    my $gen_conf = $illrq->generic_confirm({
         current_branchcode => $illbrn->{branchcode}
     });
     isnt(index($gen_conf->{value}->{draft}->{body}, $backend->metadata->{Test}), -1,
@@ -502,13 +515,13 @@ subtest 'Backend core methods' => sub {
        "Generic confirm: partner 2 is correct."
     );
 
-    dies_ok { $illrq_obj->generic_confirm({
+    dies_ok { $illrq->generic_confirm({
         current_branchcode => $illbrn->{branchcode},
         stage => 'draft'
     }) }
         "Generic confirm: missing to dies OK.";
 
-    dies_ok { $illrq_obj->generic_confirm({
+    dies_ok { $illrq->generic_confirm({
         current_branchcode => $illbrn->{branchcode},
         partners => $partner1->{email},
         stage => 'draft'