diff --git a/qubes/ext/utils.py b/qubes/ext/utils.py
index 4a7ae9bf1..4c005c0a5 100644
--- a/qubes/ext/utils.py
+++ b/qubes/ext/utils.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 # USA.
 import asyncio
 import subprocess
+import sys
 
 import qubes
 
@@ -138,11 +139,15 @@ def confirm_device_attachment(device, frontends) -> str:
     guivm = 'dom0'  # TODO
     # TODO: guivm rpc?
 
-    proc = subprocess.Popen(
-        ["attach-confirm", guivm,
-         device.backend_domain.name, device.port_id,
-         device.description,
-         *[f.name for f in frontends.keys()]],
-        stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
-    (target_name, _) = proc.communicate()
-    return target_name.decode()
+    try:
+        proc = subprocess.Popen(
+            ["attach-confirm", guivm,
+             device.backend_domain.name, device.port_id,
+             device.description,
+             *[f.name for f in frontends.keys()]],
+            stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+        (target_name, _) = proc.communicate()
+        return target_name.decode()
+    except Exception as exc:
+        print(exc, file=sys.stderr)
+        return ""