diff --git a/aqt/__init__.py b/aqt/__init__.py
index b0c1efff8..f6c0bf2fb 100644
--- a/aqt/__init__.py
+++ b/aqt/__init__.py
@@ -189,6 +189,14 @@ def parseArgs(argv):
     return parser.parse_args(argv[1:])
 
 def run():
+    try:
+        _run()
+    except Exception, e:
+        QMessageBox.critical(None, "Startup Error",
+                             "Please notify support of this error:\n\n"+
+                             traceback.format_exc())
+
+def _run():
     global mw
 
     # parse args
@@ -245,7 +253,4 @@ environment points to a valid, writable folder.""")
     # load the main window
     import aqt.main
     mw = aqt.main.AnkiQt(app, pm, args)
-    app.exec_()
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    run()
+    app.exec_()
\ No newline at end of file