diff --git a/rust-whisper.d/hotwords.py b/rust-whisper.d/hotwords.py
index 42e0d8b..94f4526 100644
--- a/rust-whisper.d/hotwords.py
+++ b/rust-whisper.d/hotwords.py
@@ -268,6 +268,12 @@ class Reactor(threading.Thread):
       log("Reactor.run: stop")
 
    def handle(self, text):
+      try:
+         self._handle(text)
+      except Exception:
+         pass
+
+   def _handle(self, text):
       hotwords = self.load_hotwords()
       if os.environ.get("DEBUG", None):
          log(f"seeking {hotwords} in {text}. $HOTWORDS={os.environ.get('HOTWORDS', None)}")