diff --git a/network/tor/src/main/java/bisq/tor/process/NativeTorProcess.java b/network/tor/src/main/java/bisq/tor/process/NativeTorProcess.java
index 9a188a72bc..763c915d94 100644
--- a/network/tor/src/main/java/bisq/tor/process/NativeTorProcess.java
+++ b/network/tor/src/main/java/bisq/tor/process/NativeTorProcess.java
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ public NativeTorProcess(Path torrcPath) {
         this.torrcPath = torrcPath;
     }
 
-    public void start() throws IOException {
+    public void start() {
         String absoluteTorrcPathAsString = torrcPath.toAbsolutePath().toString();
 
         String ownerPid = Pid.getMyPid();
@@ -57,8 +57,12 @@ public void start() throws IOException {
 
         logFileCreationWaiter = Optional.of(createLogFileCreationWaiter());
 
-        Process torProcess = processBuilder.start();
-        process = Optional.of(torProcess);
+        try {
+            Process torProcess = processBuilder.start();
+            process = Optional.of(torProcess);
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            throw new TorStartupFailedException(e);
+        }
     }
 
     public void waitUntilControlPortReady() {
diff --git a/network/tor/src/main/java/bisq/tor/process/TorStartupFailedException.java b/network/tor/src/main/java/bisq/tor/process/TorStartupFailedException.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e8e6518d3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/tor/src/main/java/bisq/tor/process/TorStartupFailedException.java
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+/*
+ * This file is part of Bisq.
+ *
+ * Bisq is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at
+ * your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * Bisq is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU Affero General Public
+ * License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with Bisq. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package bisq.tor.process;
+
+public class TorStartupFailedException extends RuntimeException {
+    public TorStartupFailedException(Throwable cause) {
+        super(cause);
+    }
+}