diff --git a/plugins/rgblights/index.js b/plugins/rgblights/index.js
index d5d08aa..316f0b1 100644
--- a/plugins/rgblights/index.js
+++ b/plugins/rgblights/index.js
@@ -22,6 +22,15 @@ define([ 'duino' ], function(duino) {
     this.id = this.name.toLowerCase();
     this.board = new duino.Board();
 
+    function warnNoDuino(e) {
+        console.warn("[WARNING] error while trying to connect to Arduino:")
+        console.warn(" >>> " + e);
+        console.info("[INFO] continuing and hoping for the best...");
+        // FIXME: we should disable this plugin in some way, though
+    }
+    this.board.on('error', warnNoDuino);
+    this.board.setup();
+
     this.pins = {};
     this.pluginHelper = app.get('plugin helper');