diff --git a/pyfa.py b/pyfa.py
index 9c8d0b14a..31028e6aa 100755
--- a/pyfa.py
+++ b/pyfa.py
@@ -151,10 +151,15 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
         ErrorHandler.SetParent(mf)
 
         # Start ESI token validation, this helps avoid token expiry
-        from service.esi import Esi
-        esi = Esi.getInstance()
-        esi.startTokenValidation()
-        pyfalog.info("ESI token validation started")
+        try:
+            from service.esi import Esi
+            esi = Esi.getInstance()
+            esi.startTokenValidation()
+            pyfalog.info("ESI token validation started")
+        except (KeyboardInterrupt, SystemExit):
+            raise
+        except Exception as e:
+            pyfalog.warning(f"failed to start ESI token validation thread:\n{e}")
 
         if options.profile_path:
             profile_path = os.path.join(options.profile_path, 'pyfa-{}.profile'.format(datetime.datetime.now().strftime('%Y%m%d_%H%M%S')))