diff --git a/tools/ratbagctl.devel.in b/tools/ratbagctl.devel.in
index 549cdb10..189a9cd6 100755
--- a/tools/ratbagctl.devel.in
+++ b/tools/ratbagctl.devel.in
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import time
 import toolbox
 import signal
 import sys
+from ratbagctl import RatbagErrorCapability  # NOQA
 
 
 def main(argv):
@@ -64,10 +65,13 @@ def main(argv):
                     parser.print_help()
                     return
                 else:
-                    f(ratbagd, cmd)
-                    # give time for ratbagd to receive async requests before
-                    # we try to terminate it
-                    time.sleep(0.5)
+                    try:
+                        f(ratbagd, cmd)
+                        # give time for ratbagd to receive async requests before
+                        # we try to terminate it
+                        time.sleep(0.5)
+                    except RatbagErrorCapability as e:
+                        print("Error: {}".format(e), file=sys.stderr)
     finally:
         try:
             if cmd.keepalive:
diff --git a/tools/ratbagctl.in b/tools/ratbagctl.in
index 6608426a..ebb2402c 100755
--- a/tools/ratbagctl.in
+++ b/tools/ratbagctl.in
@@ -1562,7 +1562,10 @@ def main(argv):
                 parser.print_help()
                 return
             else:
-                f(r, cmd)
+                try:
+                    f(r, cmd)
+                except RatbagErrorCapability as e:
+                    print("Error: {}".format(e), file=sys.stderr)
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":