diff --git a/examples/dnn_face_recognition_ex.cpp b/examples/dnn_face_recognition_ex.cpp
index c9d3f9676..dbafe885c 100644
--- a/examples/dnn_face_recognition_ex.cpp
+++ b/examples/dnn_face_recognition_ex.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ std::vector<matrix<rgb_pixel>> jitter_image(
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-int main(int argc, char** argv)
+int main(int argc, char** argv) try
 {
     if (argc != 2)
     {
@@ -194,6 +194,10 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     cout << "hit enter to terminate" << endl;
     cin.get();
 }
+catch (std::exception& e)
+{
+    cout << e.what() << endl;
+}
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------