diff --git a/source/c_softpwm.c b/source/c_softpwm.c
index 08fb10e..d5fadc4 100644
--- a/source/c_softpwm.c
+++ b/source/c_softpwm.c
@@ -241,8 +241,12 @@ int softpwm_start(const char *key, float duty, float freq, int polarity)
 
     if (get_gpio_number(key, &gpio) < 0)
         return -1;
-    if (gpio_export(gpio) < 0)
-        return -1;
+    if (gpio_export(gpio) < 0) {
+       char err[2000];
+       snprintf(err, sizeof(err), "Error setting up softpwm on pin %d, maybe already exported? (%s)", gpio, get_error_msg());
+       add_error_msg(err);
+       return -1;
+    }
     if (gpio_set_direction(gpio, OUTPUT) < 0)
         return -1;
 
diff --git a/source/py_softpwm.c b/source/py_softpwm.c
index 514c2ae..e2f91d7 100644
--- a/source/py_softpwm.c
+++ b/source/py_softpwm.c
@@ -80,8 +80,14 @@ static PyObject *py_start_channel(PyObject *self, PyObject *args, PyObject *kwar
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    if (!softpwm_start(key, duty_cycle, frequency, polarity))
-        return NULL;
+    if (softpwm_start(key, duty_cycle, frequency, polarity) < 0)
+    {
+       printf("softpwm_start failed");
+       char err[2000];
+       snprintf(err, sizeof(err), "Error starting softpwm on pin %s (%s)", key, get_error_msg());
+       PyErr_SetString(PyExc_RuntimeError, err);
+       return NULL;
+    }
 
     Py_RETURN_NONE;
 }