diff --git a/openerp-server b/openerp-server
index c42651dc419..5fdbb28eeb6 100755
--- a/openerp-server
+++ b/openerp-server
@@ -88,8 +88,11 @@ def setup_pid_file():
 
 def preload_registry(dbname):
     """ Preload a registry, and start the cron."""
-    db, pool = openerp.pooler.get_db_and_pool(dbname, update_module=config['init'] or config['update'], pooljobs=False)
-    pool.get('ir.cron').restart(db.dbname)
+    try:
+        db, pool = openerp.pooler.get_db_and_pool(dbname, update_module=config['init'] or config['update'], pooljobs=False)
+        pool.get('ir.cron').restart(db.dbname)
+    except Exception:
+        logging.exception('Failed to initialize database `%s`.', dbname)
 
 def run_test_file(dbname, test_file):
     """ Preload a registry, possibly run a test file, and start the cron."""