diff --git a/src/autoseg/train_job.py b/src/autoseg/train_job.py
index d90e7a1..58941c5 100644
--- a/src/autoseg/train_job.py
+++ b/src/autoseg/train_job.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+from more_itertools import raise_
 from .train import mtlsd_train, aclsd_train, stelarr_train
 from .utils import tiff_to_zarr, create_masks
 
@@ -17,14 +18,20 @@ def train_model(
     
     # TODO: add util funcs for generating masks, pulling paintings
     if raw_file.endswith(".tiff") or raw_file.endswith(".tif"):
-        tiff_to_zarr(tiff_file=raw_file,
-                     out_file=rewrite_file,
-                     out_ds=rewrite_ds)
-        raw_file: str = rewrite_file
+        try:
+            tiff_to_zarr(tiff_file=raw_file,
+                        out_file=rewrite_file,
+                        out_ds=rewrite_ds)
+            raw_file: str = rewrite_file
+        except:
+            raise("Could not convert TIFF file to zarr volume")
     
     if generate_masks:
-        create_masks(raw_file, "volumes/training_gt_labels")
-    
+        try:
+            create_masks(raw_file, "volumes/training_gt_labels")
+        except:
+            raise("Could not generate masks - check to make sure a painting labels volume exists")
+
     model_type: str = model_type.lower()
     if model_type == "mtlsd":
         mtlsd_train(