diff --git a/gui/qt/__init__.py b/gui/qt/__init__.py
index 7211b186..06999a93 100644
--- a/gui/qt/__init__.py
+++ b/gui/qt/__init__.py
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ class ElectrumGui:
             try:
                 wallet = Wallet(storage)
             except BaseException as e:
+                traceback.print_exc(file=sys.stdout)
                 QMessageBox.warning(None, _('Warning'), str(e), _('OK'))
                 return
             action = wallet.get_action()
diff --git a/lib/wallet.py b/lib/wallet.py
index 6b772feb..34bc991e 100644
--- a/lib/wallet.py
+++ b/lib/wallet.py
@@ -1628,8 +1628,7 @@ class Wallet(object):
             msg = "This wallet seed is not supported anymore."
             if seed_version in [5, 7, 8, 9]:
                 msg += "\nTo open this wallet, try 'git checkout seed_v%d'"%seed_version
-            print msg
-            sys.exit(1)
+            raise BaseException(msg)
 
         run_hook('add_wallet_types', wallet_types)
         wallet_type = storage.get('wallet_type')