diff --git a/application.py b/application.py
index 31bb41d..4b766a7 100755
--- a/application.py
+++ b/application.py
@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@ class Application(object):
         width  = self.x - 1
 
         # run user custom code here
+        self.rcerror = None
         self.loadrc()
 
         # initialize our buffers
@@ -477,7 +478,10 @@ class Application(object):
     def loadrc(self):
         path = os.path.join(os.getenv('HOME'), '.pmc', 'conf')
         if os.path.exists(path):
-            execfile(path)
+            try:
+                execfile(path)
+            except Exception, e:
+                self.rcerror = e
         
     # the mighty run-loop!
     def run(self):