diff --git a/src/morevna.py b/src/morevna.py
--- a/src/morevna.py
+++ b/src/morevna.py
@@ -84,11 +84,12 @@ def serve(args):
 	if args.host: conf.hosts.insert(0,args.host)
 	if args.port: conf.port=args.port
 
-	s=Miniserver(args.datafile,args.tree)
 	try:
+		s=Miniserver(args.datafile,args.tree)
 		spawnDaemon(s.serve)
 	except Exception as e:
 		log.exception("exception: %s",e)
+		print("Failed to start:\n  ",e)
 
 
 parser=ArgumentParser()