diff --git a/tools/python/jwutils/Options.py b/tools/python/jwutils/Options.py
index 1b19d66..78ce356 100644
--- a/tools/python/jwutils/Options.py
+++ b/tools/python/jwutils/Options.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import json
 from collections import OrderedDict
 from .log import *
 import shlex
+import traceback
 
 class Options: # export
 
@@ -39,7 +40,12 @@ class Options: # export
         if r is not None:
             return r
         r = cls()
-        opt_strs = shlex.split(opts_str)
+        try:
+            opt_strs = shlex.split(opts_str)
+        except Exception as e:
+            slog_m(ERR, traceback.format_exc())
+            slog(ERR, 'Failed to split options string >{}<'.format(opts_str))
+            raise
         for opt_str in opt_strs:
             opt_str = re.sub('\s*=\s*', '=', opt_str)
             sides = opt_str.split('=')