diff --git a/gui/qt/main_window.py b/gui/qt/main_window.py
index 095e6eea9..a4b4f8dd3 100644
--- a/gui/qt/main_window.py
+++ b/gui/qt/main_window.py
@@ -283,7 +283,10 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow, MessageBoxMixin, PrintError):
 
     def on_error(self, exc_info):
         if not isinstance(exc_info[1], UserCancelled):
-            traceback.print_exception(*exc_info)
+            try:
+                traceback.print_exception(*exc_info)
+            except OSError:
+                pass  # see #4418; try to at least show popup:
             self.show_error(str(exc_info[1]))
 
     def on_network(self, event, *args):