diff --git a/init.go b/init.go
index 79d0e0c..f3e7bda 100644
--- a/init.go
+++ b/init.go
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ func getRandomNetwork() JSONIPNet {
 
 // TODO support IPv6
 func getExternalIP() net.IP {
-	conn, _ := net.Dial("udp", "8.8.8.8:80")
+	conn, err := net.Dial("udp", "8.8.8.8:80")
+	check(err, "Could not detect internet connection")
 	defer conn.Close()
 
 	localAddr := conn.LocalAddr().String()
diff --git a/util.go b/util.go
index b5cda5e..b03987c 100644
--- a/util.go
+++ b/util.go
@@ -7,8 +7,11 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 )
 
-func check(e error) {
+func check(e error, optMsg ...string) {
 	if e != nil {
+		if (len(optMsg) > 0) {
+			ExitFail("%s - %s", e, strings.Join(optMsg, " "))
+		}
 		ExitFail("%s", e)
 	}
 }