diff --git a/src/aare/devices/jfjoch.py b/src/aare/devices/jfjoch.py
index 4a618f8f..f0d2b9c8 100644
--- a/src/aare/devices/jfjoch.py
+++ b/src/aare/devices/jfjoch.py
@@ -72,7 +72,11 @@ class JFJochWrapper:
         self._api = jfjoch_client.DefaultApi(self._client)
         # set before cancel(), which is itself decorated and would otherwise recurse
         self._connected = True
-        self.cancel(on_init=True)
+        try:
+            self.cancel(on_init=True)
+        except:
+            self._connected = False
+            raise
 
     @staticmethod
     def _extract_status_code(error: Exception) -> int | None: