diff --git a/jmbase/jmbase/twisted_utils.py b/jmbase/jmbase/twisted_utils.py
index 6d35029..a5df2e2 100644
--- a/jmbase/jmbase/twisted_utils.py
+++ b/jmbase/jmbase/twisted_utils.py
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ def stop_reactor():
     raised by trying to stop the reactor.
     """
     try:
-        if reactor.running:
-            reactor.stop()
+        reactor.stop()
     except ReactorNotRunning:
         pass
diff --git a/jmclient/jmclient/wallet_service.py b/jmclient/jmclient/wallet_service.py
index 66014ae..98b2da8 100644
--- a/jmclient/jmclient/wallet_service.py
+++ b/jmclient/jmclient/wallet_service.py
@@ -47,9 +47,13 @@ class WalletService(Service):
         self.wallet = wallet
         self.synced = False
 
+        # used to flag RPC failure at construction of object:
+        self.rpc_error = False
+
         # keep track of the quasi-real-time blockheight
         # (updated in main monitor loop)
         self.current_blockheight = None
+
         if self.bci is not None:
             if not self.update_blockheight():
                 # this accounts for the unusual case
@@ -60,6 +64,9 @@ class WalletService(Service):
                 jlog.error("Failure of RPC connection to Bitcoin Core in "
                           "wallet service startup. Application cannot "
                           "continue, shutting down.")
+                self.rpc_error = ("Failure of RPC connection to Bitcoin "
+                                  "Core in wallet service startup.")
+                # no need to call stopService as it has not yet been started.
                 stop_reactor()
         else:
             jlog.warning("No blockchain source available, " +
diff --git a/scripts/joinmarket-qt.py b/scripts/joinmarket-qt.py
index edb6e69..b7dee58 100755
--- a/scripts/joinmarket-qt.py
+++ b/scripts/joinmarket-qt.py
@@ -1844,6 +1844,10 @@ class JMMainWindow(QMainWindow):
                                mbtype='warn',
                                title="Error")
                     return
+                if decrypted == "error":
+                    # special case, not a failure to decrypt the file but
+                    # a failure of wallet loading, give up:
+                    self.close()
         else:
             if not testnet_seed:
                 testnet_seed, ok = QInputDialog.getText(self,
@@ -1887,6 +1891,11 @@ class JMMainWindow(QMainWindow):
             self.walletRefresh.stop()
 
         self.wallet_service = WalletService(wallet)
+        # in case an RPC error occurs in the constructor:
+        if self.wallet_service.rpc_error:
+            JMQtMessageBox(self,self.wallet_service.rpc_error,
+                           mbtype='warn',title="Error")
+            return "error"
 
         if jm_single().bc_interface is None:
             self.centralWidget().widget(0).updateWalletInfo(