diff --git a/3d-viewer/3d_viewer/eda_3d_viewer_frame.cpp b/3d-viewer/3d_viewer/eda_3d_viewer_frame.cpp
index d3dfef1483..17703d3007 100644
--- a/3d-viewer/3d_viewer/eda_3d_viewer_frame.cpp
+++ b/3d-viewer/3d_viewer/eda_3d_viewer_frame.cpp
@@ -157,7 +157,14 @@ EDA_3D_VIEWER_FRAME::EDA_3D_VIEWER_FRAME( KIWAY* aKiway, PCB_BASE_FRAME* aParent
     m_canvas->SetStatusBar( status_bar );
 
 #if defined( KICAD_USE_3DCONNEXION )
-    m_spaceMouse = new NL_3D_VIEWER_PLUGIN( m_canvas );
+    try
+    {
+        m_spaceMouse = new NL_3D_VIEWER_PLUGIN( m_canvas );
+    }
+    catch( const std::system_error& e )
+    {
+        wxLogTrace( wxT( "KI_TRACE_NAVLIB" ), e.what() );
+    }
 #endif
 
     // Fixes bug in Windows (XP and possibly others) where the canvas requires the focus
diff --git a/pcbnew/pcb_edit_frame.cpp b/pcbnew/pcb_edit_frame.cpp
index a9e1b65f71..943b8d4ed3 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcb_edit_frame.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcb_edit_frame.cpp
@@ -373,7 +373,14 @@ PCB_EDIT_FRAME::PCB_EDIT_FRAME( KIWAY* aKiway, wxWindow* aParent ) :
  //       GetMenuBar()->FindItem( ID_GEN_EXPORT_FILE_STEP )->Enable( false );
 
 #if defined( KICAD_USE_3DCONNEXION )
-    m_spaceMouse = new NL_PCBNEW_PLUGIN( canvas );
+    try
+    {
+        m_spaceMouse = new NL_PCBNEW_PLUGIN( canvas );
+    }
+    catch( const std::system_error& e )
+    {
+        wxLogTrace( wxT( "KI_TRACE_NAVLIB" ), e.what() );
+    }
 #endif
 
     // AUI doesn't refresh properly on wxMac after changes in eb7dc6dd, so force it to