diff --git a/src/scripts/create-item.lua b/src/scripts/create-item.lua
index 5c22f604..a73a60ad 100644
--- a/src/scripts/create-item.lua
+++ b/src/scripts/create-item.lua
@@ -69,9 +69,13 @@ function addItem (node, item_type)
   end
 
   -- activate item
-  items[id]:activate (Features.ALL, function (item)
-    Log.info(item, "activated item for node " .. tostring(id))
-    item:register ()
+  items[id]:activate (Features.ALL, function (item, e)
+    if e then
+      Log.warning(item, "failed to activate item: " .. tostring(e));
+    else
+      Log.info(item, "activated item for node " .. tostring(id))
+      item:register ()
+   end
   end)
 end