diff --git a/bumblebee/engine.py b/bumblebee/engine.py
index df5b0da..9f31e06 100644
--- a/bumblebee/engine.py
+++ b/bumblebee/engine.py
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ class Module(object):
         self.id = self.name
         self._next = int(time.time())
         self._default_interval = 0
+        self.success = True
 
         self._configFile = None
         for cfg in [os.path.expanduser("~/.bumblebee-status.conf"), os.path.expanduser("~/.config/bumblebee-status.conf")]:
@@ -80,7 +81,12 @@ class Module(object):
     def update_wrapper(self, widgets):
         if self._next > int(time.time()):
             return
-        self.update(self._widgets)
+        try:
+            self.update(self._widgets)
+            self.success = True
+        except Exception as e:
+            log.error("failed to update module {}: {}".format(self.name, str(e)))
+            self.success = False
         self._next += int(self.parameter("interval", self._default_interval))*60
 
     def interval(self, intvl):
diff --git a/bumblebee/modules/battery.py b/bumblebee/modules/battery.py
index 57a12cc..5367d5f 100644
--- a/bumblebee/modules/battery.py
+++ b/bumblebee/modules/battery.py
@@ -105,8 +105,9 @@ class Module(bumblebee.engine.Module):
             state.append("AC")
         else:
             charge = ""
-            with open("{}/status".format(widget.name)) as f:
-                charge = f.read().strip()
+            try:
+                with open("{}/status".format(widget.name)) as f:
+                    charge = f.read().strip()
             except IOError:
                 pass
             if charge == "Discharging":
diff --git a/bumblebee/modules/spacer.py b/bumblebee/modules/spacer.py
index b89c233..adabcff 100644
--- a/bumblebee/modules/spacer.py
+++ b/bumblebee/modules/spacer.py
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ class Module(bumblebee.engine.Module):
         )
         self._text = self.parameter("text", "")
 
+    def update(self, widgets):
+        raise Exception("test")
+
     def text(self, widget):
         return self._text