diff --git a/js/translator.js b/js/translator.js
index 0f4bc00a..43b65297 100644
--- a/js/translator.js
+++ b/js/translator.js
@@ -19,7 +19,15 @@ var Translator = (function () {
 		xhr.open("GET", file, true);
 		xhr.onreadystatechange = function () {
 			if (xhr.readyState === 4 && xhr.status === 200) {
-				callback(JSON.parse(xhr.responseText));
+				// needs error handler try/catch at least
+				let fileinfo = null;
+				try {
+					fileinfo = JSON.parse(xhr.responseText);
+				} catch (exception) {
+					// nothing here, but don't die
+					console.log(" loading json file failed =" + file);
+				}
+				callback(fileinfo);
 			}
 		};
 		xhr.send(null);