diff --git a/example/index.js b/example/index.js
index 597c7c40..356db94b 100755
--- a/example/index.js
+++ b/example/index.js
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
 
 var bitcoind = require('../')();
 
-bitcoind.on('open', function(status) {
-  console.log('bitcoind: ' + status);
+bitcoind.on('error', function(err) {
+  console.log('bitcoind: error="%s"', err.message);
+});
+
+bitcoind.on('open', function(status) {
+  console.log('bitcoind: status=%s', status);
 });
diff --git a/lib/bitcoind.js b/lib/bitcoind.js
index d0f5c51b..91de7cb8 100644
--- a/lib/bitcoind.js
+++ b/lib/bitcoind.js
@@ -12,20 +12,24 @@ var bitcoindjs = require('../build/Release/bitcoindjs.node');
  * Bitcoin
  */
 
-function Bitcoin(flag) {
+function Bitcoin(options) {
   var self = this;
 
   if (!(this instanceof Bitcoin)) {
-    return new Bitcoin(flag);
+    return new Bitcoin(options);
   }
 
   EventEmitter.call(this);
 
-  var ret = bitcoindjs.start(function(err, status) {
+  this.options = options;
+
+  bitcoindjs.start(function(err, status) {
+    if (err) {
+      self.emit('error', err);
+      return;
+    }
     self.emit('open', status);
   });
-
-  this.ret = ret;
 }
 
 Bitcoin.prototype.__proto__ = EventEmitter.prototype;