diff --git a/electrum/gui/qt/history_list.py b/electrum/gui/qt/history_list.py
index ce5b97a16..83ab3fdb0 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/qt/history_list.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/qt/history_list.py
@@ -29,11 +29,12 @@ import datetime
 from electrum.wallet import AddTransactionException, TX_HEIGHT_LOCAL
 from .util import *
 from electrum.i18n import _
-from electrum.util import block_explorer_URL, profiler
+from electrum.util import block_explorer_URL, profiler, print_error
 
 try:
     from electrum.plot import plot_history, NothingToPlotException
 except:
+    print_error("qt/history_list: could not import electrum.plot. This feature needs matplotlib to be installed.")
     plot_history = None
 
 # note: this list needs to be kept in sync with another in kivy
diff --git a/electrum/plugin.py b/electrum/plugin.py
index 495d4cd26..c5223dc37 100644
--- a/electrum/plugin.py
+++ b/electrum/plugin.py
@@ -132,7 +132,8 @@ class Plugins(DaemonThread):
         for dep, s in deps:
             try:
                 __import__(dep)
-            except ImportError:
+            except ImportError as e:
+                self.print_error('Plugin', name, 'unavailable:', type(e).__name__, ':', str(e))
                 return False
         requires = d.get('requires_wallet_type', [])
         return not requires or w.wallet_type in requires