diff --git a/src/ldt0028/ldt0028.cxx b/src/ldt0028/ldt0028.cxx
index a66f1344..c1c8445a 100644
--- a/src/ldt0028/ldt0028.cxx
+++ b/src/ldt0028/ldt0028.cxx
@@ -22,13 +22,21 @@
  * WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
  */
 
+#include <string>
+#include <stdexcept>
+
 #include "ldt0028.h"
 
 using namespace upm;
 
 LDT0028::LDT0028(unsigned int pin) {
     // initialize analog input
-    m_pin = mraa_aio_init(pin);
+    if ( !(m_pin = mraa_aio_init(pin)) ) 
+      {
+        throw std::invalid_argument(std::string(__FUNCTION__) +
+                                    ": mraa_aio_init() failed, invalid pin?");
+        return;
+      }
     m_name = "ldt0-028";
 }