diff --git a/server/server.py b/server/server.py
index 7cdbcd166..973f932f8 100755
--- a/server/server.py
+++ b/server/server.py
@@ -749,9 +749,14 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
             store.catch_up()
             memorypool_update(store)
             block_number = store.get_block_number(1)
-            dblock.release()
+        except IOError:
+            print "IOError: cannot reach bitcoind"
+            block_number = -1 
         except:
             traceback.print_exc(file=sys.stdout)
+            block_number = -1
+        finally:
+            dblock.release()
         time.sleep(10)
 
     print "server stopped"