diff --git a/src/main/java/eu/siacs/conversations/ui/XmppActivity.java b/src/main/java/eu/siacs/conversations/ui/XmppActivity.java
index bade7e111..03c60d959 100644
--- a/src/main/java/eu/siacs/conversations/ui/XmppActivity.java
+++ b/src/main/java/eu/siacs/conversations/ui/XmppActivity.java
@@ -217,7 +217,11 @@ public abstract class XmppActivity extends ActionBarActivity {
 	public void connectToBackend() {
 		Intent intent = new Intent(this, XmppConnectionService.class);
 		intent.setAction("ui");
-		startService(intent);
+		try {
+			startService(intent);
+		} catch (IllegalStateException e) {
+			Log.w(Config.LOGTAG,"unable to start service from "+getClass().getSimpleName());
+		}
 		bindService(intent, mConnection, Context.BIND_AUTO_CREATE);
 	}