diff --git a/plugins/ledger/ledger.py b/plugins/ledger/ledger.py
index 8c2ea52cd..17a63ecc9 100644
--- a/plugins/ledger/ledger.py
+++ b/plugins/ledger/ledger.py
@@ -146,7 +146,12 @@ class Ledger_Client():
 
     def checkDevice(self):
         if not self.preflightDone:
-            self.perform_hw1_preflight()
+            try:
+                self.perform_hw1_preflight()
+            except BTChipException as e:
+                if (e.sw == 0x6d00):
+                    raise BaseException("Device not in Bitcoin mode")
+                raise e
             self.preflightDone = True
 
     def password_dialog(self, msg=None):