diff --git a/gns3server/handlers/api/iou_handler.py b/gns3server/handlers/api/iou_handler.py
index 98bd4cf7..acf3b5b1 100644
--- a/gns3server/handlers/api/iou_handler.py
+++ b/gns3server/handlers/api/iou_handler.py
@@ -59,8 +59,6 @@ class IOUHandler:
         for name, value in request.json.items():
             if hasattr(vm, name) and getattr(vm, name) != value:
                 setattr(vm, name, value)
-        if "initial_config_content" in request.json:
-            vm.initial_config = request.json.get("initial_config_content")
         response.set_status(201)
         response.json(vm)
 
@@ -108,8 +106,6 @@ class IOUHandler:
         for name, value in request.json.items():
             if hasattr(vm, name) and getattr(vm, name) != value:
                 setattr(vm, name, value)
-        if "initial_config_content" in request.json:
-            vm.initial_config = request.json.get("initial_config_content")
         response.json(vm)
 
     @classmethod
diff --git a/gns3server/modules/iou/iou_vm.py b/gns3server/modules/iou/iou_vm.py
index 305250e0..5edf33a9 100644
--- a/gns3server/modules/iou/iou_vm.py
+++ b/gns3server/modules/iou/iou_vm.py
@@ -317,9 +317,9 @@ class IOUVM(BaseVM):
         """
 
         if self.initial_config_file:
-            content = self.initial_config
+            content = self.initial_config_content
             content = content.replace(self._name, new_name)
-            self.initial_config = content
+            self.initial_config_content = content
 
         super(IOUVM, IOUVM).name.__set__(self, new_name)
 
@@ -939,7 +939,7 @@ class IOUVM(BaseVM):
             log.warn("could not determine if layer 1 keepalive messages are supported by {}: {}".format(os.path.basename(self._path), e))
 
     @property
-    def initial_config(self):
+    def initial_config_content(self):
         """
         Returns the content of the current initial-config file.
         """
@@ -952,10 +952,10 @@ class IOUVM(BaseVM):
             with open(config_file) as f:
                 return f.read()
         except OSError as e:
-            raise IOUError("Can't read configuration file '{}'".format(config_file))
+            raise IOUError("Can't read configuration file '{}': {}".format(config_file, e))
 
-    @initial_config.setter
-    def initial_config(self, initial_config):
+    @initial_config_content.setter
+    def initial_config_content(self, initial_config):
         """
         Update the initial config