diff --git a/cli.py b/cli.py
index 7abcc76..e385f77 100644
--- a/cli.py
+++ b/cli.py
@@ -81,4 +81,5 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
         erase_trade()
         role = 'seller'
         htlcTrade = Trade()
-        print("Creating new XCAT transaction...")
+        print("Creating new XCAT trade...")
+        seller_initiate(htlcTrade)
diff --git a/database.py b/database.py
index a452fa6..b923ac4 100644
--- a/database.py
+++ b/database.py
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ db = plyvel.DB('/tmp/testdb', create_if_missing=True)
 
 trade = get_trade()
 ## txid we retrieve by
-txid = trade['sell']['fund_tx']
+if trade and 'sell' in trade:
+    txid = trade['sell']['fund_tx']
 
 def create(hexstr):
     trade = hex2dict(hexstr)
diff --git a/userInput.py b/userInput.py
index 193ab14..be97d2f 100644
--- a/userInput.py
+++ b/userInput.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 from utils import *
 
 def get_trade_amounts():
-    print("in user input")
     amounts = {}
     sell_currency = input("Which currency would you like to trade out of (bitcoin or zcash)? ")
     if sell_currency == '':
diff --git a/utils.py b/utils.py
index 59bf8da..a5d780a 100644
--- a/utils.py
+++ b/utils.py
@@ -66,8 +66,12 @@ def get_secret():
                 return line.strip('\n')
 
 def save_secret(secret):
-    with open('secret.json', 'w') as outfile:
-        outfile.write(secret)
+    try:
+        with open('secret.json', 'w') as outfile:
+            outfile.write(secret)
+    except IOError:
+        with open('secret.json', 'w+') as outfile:
+            outfile.write(secret)
 
 def save(trade):
     print("Saving trade")