diff --git a/onionr.py b/onionr.py
index f72e0c44..c9201186 100755
--- a/onionr.py
+++ b/onionr.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ class Onionr:
         In general, external programs and plugins should not use this class.
 
         '''
+        self.runningDaemon = False
         if os.path.exists('dev-enabled'):
             print('DEVELOPMENT MODE ENABLED (THIS IS LESS SECURE!)')
             self._developmentMode = True
@@ -106,12 +107,17 @@ class Onionr:
             shutil.rmtree('data/')
         return
     def daemon(self):
+        ''' Start the Onionr communication daemon
+        '''
         if not os.environ.get("WERKZEUG_RUN_MAIN") == "true":
             subprocess.Popen(["./communicator.py", "run"])
             print('Started communicator')
         api.API(self.config, self.debug)
         return
     def killDaemon(self):
+        if self.runningDaemon == False:
+            onionrUtils.printErr('No known daemon is running')
+            sys.exit(1)
         return
     def showStats(self):
         return
diff --git a/onionrutils.py b/onionrutils.py
index d813575f..49e98e1c 100644
--- a/onionrutils.py
+++ b/onionrutils.py
@@ -14,10 +14,12 @@
     along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 '''
 # Misc functions that do not fit in the main api, but are useful
-import getpass
+import getpass, sys
 class OnionrUtils():
     def __init__(self):
         return
+    def printErr(self, text='an error occured'):
+        sys.stderr.write(text + '\n')
     def getPassword(self, message='Enter password: '):
         # Get a password safely with confirmation and return it
         while True: