diff --git a/joinmarket/blockchaininterface.py b/joinmarket/blockchaininterface.py
index 0eea8820..8725ddfc 100644
--- a/joinmarket/blockchaininterface.py
+++ b/joinmarket/blockchaininterface.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 import time
 import urllib
 import urllib2
+import traceback
 from decimal import Decimal
 
 import bitcoin as btc
@@ -335,12 +336,13 @@ def run(self):
     def pushtx(self, txhex):
         try:
             json_str = btc.blockr_pushtx(txhex, self.network)
+            data = json.loads(json_str)
+            if data['status'] != 'success':
+                log.debug(data)
+                return False
         except Exception:
             log.debug('failed blockr.io pushtx')
-            return False
-        data = json.loads(json_str)
-        if data['status'] != 'success':
-            log.debug(data)
+            log.debug(traceback.format_exc())
             return False
         return True
 
diff --git a/joinmarket/maker.py b/joinmarket/maker.py
index eaa363f8..df48e2ec 100644
--- a/joinmarket/maker.py
+++ b/joinmarket/maker.py
@@ -266,10 +266,10 @@ def on_seen_tx(self, nick, txhex):
     def on_push_tx(self, nick, txhex):
         log.debug('received txhex from ' + nick + ' to push\n' + txhex)
         pushed = jm_single().bc_interface.pushtx(txhex)
-        if pushed[0]:
-            log.debug('pushed tx ' + str(pushed[1]))
+        if pushed:
+            log.debug('pushed tx ' + btc.txhash(txhex))
         else:
-            log.debug('failed to push tx, reason: '+str(pushed[1]))
+            log.debug('failed to push tx sent by taker')
             self.msgchan.send_error(nick, 'Unable to push tx')
 
     def on_welcome(self):
diff --git a/sendpayment.py b/sendpayment.py
index 7cffa4b8..a131e5f2 100644
--- a/sendpayment.py
+++ b/sendpayment.py
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ def finishcallback(self, coinjointx):
             else:
                 #Error should be in log, will not retry.
                 log.debug('failed to push tx, ending.')
+            time.sleep(10) # see github issue #516
             self.taker.msgchan.shutdown()
             return
         self.ignored_makers += coinjointx.nonrespondants