diff --git a/Models/model_mode.cpp b/Models/model_mode.cpp
index 0d6634e..1e2db24 100644
--- a/Models/model_mode.cpp
+++ b/Models/model_mode.cpp
@@ -101,7 +101,11 @@ QVariant Model_Mode::data(const QModelIndex &index, int role) const
             return "Standard";
         case 6:
             if(data_->getTrackFrameFormat(row).is_initialized()){
-                return QString::fromStdString(*data_->getTrackFrameFormat(row).get());
+                try {
+                    return QString::fromStdString(*data_->getTrackFrameFormat(row).get());
+                } catch (...) {
+                    return "undefined";
+                }
             }else{
                 return "undefined";
             }
diff --git a/mainwindow.cpp b/mainwindow.cpp
index 7dbafe6..366347d 100644
--- a/mainwindow.cpp
+++ b/mainwindow.cpp
@@ -2223,11 +2223,13 @@ void MainWindow::on_pushButton_startAdvancedMode_clicked()
     ObsModeDialog *obsModeDial = new ObsModeDialog(obsModeStart, this);
     int result = obsModeDial->exec();
     if(result == QDialog::Accepted){
-        advancedObservingMode_ = obsModeDial->getObservingMode();
-        updateAdvancedObservingMode();
-
+        try{
+            advancedObservingMode_ = obsModeDial->getObservingMode();
+            updateAdvancedObservingMode();
+        }catch(...){
+            QMessageBox::critical(this, "error using advanced observing mode", "error using advanced observing mode - please check catalogs and entries.");
+        }
     }
-
     delete(obsModeDial);
 }