diff --git a/repos/ports/src/noux/local_rom_service.h b/repos/ports/src/noux/local_rom_service.h
index ce1453531..4a1836724 100644
--- a/repos/ports/src/noux/local_rom_service.h
+++ b/repos/ports/src/noux/local_rom_service.h
@@ -48,10 +48,14 @@ namespace Noux {
 				char name[NAME_MAX_LEN];
 				Arg_string::find_arg(args, "filename").string(name, sizeof(name), "<noname>");
 
-				Rom_session_component *rom = new (env()->heap())
-					Rom_session_component(_ds_registry, name);
+				try {
+					Rom_session_component *rom = new (env()->heap())
+						Rom_session_component(_ds_registry, name);
 
-				return _ep.manage(rom);
+					return _ep.manage(rom);
+				} catch (Rom_connection::Rom_connection_failed) {
+					throw Service::Unavailable();
+				}
 			}
 
 			void upgrade(Genode::Session_capability, const char *args) { }