diff --git a/src/lcd/jhd1313m1.cxx b/src/lcd/jhd1313m1.cxx
index e53902c4..d1afc92f 100644
--- a/src/lcd/jhd1313m1.cxx
+++ b/src/lcd/jhd1313m1.cxx
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ Jhd1313m1::Jhd1313m1(int bus, int lcdAddress, int rgbAddress)
 
     mraa::Result ret = m_i2c_lcd_rgb.address(m_rgb_address);
     if (ret != mraa::SUCCESS) {
-        fprintf(stderr, "Messed up i2c bus\n");
+        throw std::invalid_argument(std::string(__FUNCTION__) +
+                                    ": I2c.address() failed");
     }
 
     usleep(50000);
diff --git a/src/lcd/lcm1602.cxx b/src/lcd/lcm1602.cxx
index 03c09d4e..eb0eaccc 100644
--- a/src/lcd/lcm1602.cxx
+++ b/src/lcd/lcm1602.cxx
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
  */
 
 #include <string>
+#include <stdexcept>
 #include <unistd.h>
 
 #include "hd44780_bits.h"
@@ -51,7 +52,8 @@ Lcm1602::Lcm1602(int bus_in, int addr_in, bool isExpander) :
 
     error = m_i2c_lcd_control->address(m_lcd_control_address);
     if (error != mraa::SUCCESS) {
-        fprintf(stderr, "Failed to initialize i2c bus\n");
+        throw std::invalid_argument(std::string(__FUNCTION__) +
+                                    ": I2c.address() failed");
         return;
     }