diff --git a/bin/init.js b/bin/init.js
index 0efa24c48..ff31ba9a9 100644
--- a/bin/init.js
+++ b/bin/init.js
@@ -9,4 +9,5 @@ Setting.update({id: '1'}, {$setOnInsert: defaults}, {upsert: true})
   }).catch((err) => {
     console.error(`failed to create the settings object ${JSON.stringify(err)}`);
     mongoose.disconnect();
+    throw new Error(err); // just to be safe
   });