diff --git a/examples/dhcpleases.py b/examples/dhcpleases.py
index f394541..6f80fd5 100755
--- a/examples/dhcpleases.py
+++ b/examples/dhcpleases.py
@@ -22,8 +22,9 @@ else:
     usage()
     sys.exit(2)
 
-conn = libvirt.open(uri)
-if conn == None:
+try:
+    conn = libvirt.open(uri)
+except libvirt.libvirtError:
     print("Unable to open connection to libvirt")
     sys.exit(1)
 
diff --git a/examples/domipaddrs.py b/examples/domipaddrs.py
index bda308c..e893995 100755
--- a/examples/domipaddrs.py
+++ b/examples/domipaddrs.py
@@ -21,8 +21,9 @@ else:
     usage()
     sys.exit(2)
 
-conn = libvirt.open(uri)
-if conn == None:
+try:
+    conn = libvirt.open(uri)
+except libvirt.libvirtError:
     print "Unable to open connection to libvirt"
     sys.exit(1)