diff --git a/examples/word_counter/word_counter.v b/examples/word_counter/word_counter.v
index a8f39c7823..8b913f5dd9 100644
--- a/examples/word_counter/word_counter.v
+++ b/examples/word_counter/word_counter.v
@@ -13,7 +13,10 @@ fn main() {
 	else {
 		path = os.args[1]
 	}
-	contents := os.read_file(path.trim_space())
+	contents := os.read_file(path.trim_space()) or {
+		println('failed to open $path')
+		return
+	}
 	mut m := map[string]int{}
 	for word in contents.to_lower().split(' ') {
 		key := filter_word(word)