diff --git a/config/scheme.py b/config/scheme.py
index b3c7429..26b8203 100644
--- a/config/scheme.py
+++ b/config/scheme.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class DataClass(Munch):
                 raise Exception(f'Unknown key "{key}"')
             else:
                 if isinstance(value, dict) and not isinstance(value, Munch):
-                    value = DataClass.fromDict(value)
+                    value = Munch.fromDict(value)
             results[key] = value
         if values:
             if validate:
@@ -129,6 +129,19 @@ class ProfilesSection(DataClass):
     current: str
     default: Profile
 
+    @classmethod
+    def transform(cls, values: Mapping[str, Any], validate: bool = True):
+        results = {}
+        for k, v in values.items():
+            if k == 'current':
+                results[k] = v
+                continue
+            results[k] = Profile.fromDict(v, validate=True)
+        return results
+
+    def update(self, d, validate: bool = True):
+        Munch.update(self, self.transform(d, validate=validate))
+
 
 @munchclass()
 class Config(DataClass):
@@ -146,7 +159,7 @@ class Config(DataClass):
         for name, _class in cls._type_hints.items():
             if name not in values:
                 if not allow_incomplete:
-                    raise Exception(f'Config key {name} not found')
+                    raise Exception(f'Config key "{name}" not in input dictionary')
                 continue
             value = values.pop(name)
             if not isinstance(value, _class):
diff --git a/config/test_config.py b/config/test_config.py
index 0c3cac3..e34cb80 100644
--- a/config/test_config.py
+++ b/config/test_config.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import pytest
 
 import os
+import pickle
 import toml
 
 from tempfile import mktemp, gettempdir as get_system_tempdir
@@ -168,6 +169,17 @@ def test_config_scheme_modified():
     assert c.wrapper.type == 'none'
 
 
+def test_configstate_profile_pickle():
+    c = ConfigStateHolder()
+    assert c.file.wrapper
+    assert c.file.profiles
+    # add new profile to check it doesn't error out due to unknown keys
+    c.file.profiles['graphical'] = {'username': 'kupfer123', 'hostname': 'test123'}
+    p = pickle.dumps(c)
+    unpickled = pickle.loads(p)
+    assert c.file == unpickled.file
+
+
 def test_profile():
     p = None
     p = Profile.fromDict(PROFILE_DEFAULTS)