diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index 15cae58..1ac7318 100755
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ console.log(`Using IPFS:`, ipfsConfig);
       { network: argv.network, rpcUrl: argv.rpcUrl },
       { apm: argv.apm, ipfsConfig: ipfsConfig, addresses: { Kernel: argv.daoAddress } }
     ).init();
+    await kredits.ipfs._ipfsAPI.id(); // check the connection to the IPFS client TODO: redesign IPFS wrapper API and not use an internal attribute
     const ipfsPinner = new IpfsPinner(kredits);
 
     ipfsPinner.pinAll().then(pins => {
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ console.log(`Using IPFS:`, ipfsConfig);
     });
     console.log(`Subscribed to DAO: ${kredits.Kernel.contract.address}`);
   } catch(e) {
+    console.log('Failed to start pinner');
     console.log(e);
     process.exit(1);
   }