diff --git a/image_list.py b/image_list.py
index fdb3604..928087e 100755
--- a/image_list.py
+++ b/image_list.py
@@ -101,7 +101,11 @@ def add_recurse(options):
                 #if not is_listed(db,filename):
                 if file not in db_files:   
                     if options.add:
-                        add_single(conn,filename,change=False,minsize=options.minsize)
+                        try:
+                            add_single(conn,filename,change=False,minsize=options.minsize)
+                        except:
+                            print('error adding file: '+filename)
+                            sys.exit(1)
                 else:
                     if options.changed:
                         ftime=os.path.getmtime(filename)
@@ -109,7 +113,11 @@ def add_recurse(options):
                         #if not hash_match(db,filename,hash):
                         if not ftime_match(db,filename,ftime):
                             #file content changed
-                            add_single(conn,filename,change=True,minsize=options.minsize)
+                            try:
+                                add_single(conn,filename,change=True,minsize=options.minsize)
+                            except:
+                                print('error changing file: '+filename)
+                                sys.exit(1)
                         # if file mentioned, and hash same, no need to change entry
         conn.commit()
     return