diff --git a/lib/multicast.js b/lib/multicast.js
index aea81af3..862e6e51 100644
--- a/lib/multicast.js
+++ b/lib/multicast.js
@@ -47,12 +47,16 @@ Gun.on('create', function(root){
   }
 
   socket.on("message", function(message, rinfo) {
-    var msgObj = JSON.parse(message.toString(ENC));
-    if (!(msgObj.gun && msgObj.gun.port)) { return }
-    var peer = `http://${rinfo.address}:${msgObj.gun.port}`;
-    if (!root.opt.peers.hasOwnProperty(peer)) {
-      console.log(`peer ${peer} found via multicast`);
-      root.$.opt({peers: [peer]});
+    try {
+      var msgObj = JSON.parse(message.toString(ENC));
+      if (!(msgObj.gun && msgObj.gun.port)) { return }
+      var peer = `http://${rinfo.address}:${msgObj.gun.port}`;
+      if (!root.opt.peers.hasOwnProperty(peer)) {
+        console.log(`peer ${peer} found via multicast`);
+        root.$.opt({peers: [peer]});
+      }
+    } catch (e) {
+      // console.error(`Received multicast from ${rinfo.address}:${rinfo.port} but failed to connect:`, e);
     }
   });
 });