diff --git a/bindings/py3devil1geo.py b/bindings/py3devil1geo.py
index 4102565..fabf65d 100644
--- a/bindings/py3devil1geo.py
+++ b/bindings/py3devil1geo.py
@@ -145,7 +145,8 @@ class pyGeoHeader:
         self.cstruct = ctypes.pointer(Header())
         ptrofptr = ctypes.byref(self.cstruct)
         if filedata:
-            devil1geo.getheader(ptrofptr, filedata)
+            if not devil1geo.getheader(ptrofptr, filedata):
+                raise RuntimeError("failed to get geometry file header")
         return
 
     def show(self):
@@ -175,7 +176,8 @@ class pyMeshHeader:
         self.cstruct = ctypes.pointer(MeshHeader())
         ptrofptr = ctypes.byref(self.cstruct)
         if filedata:
-            devil1geo.getmeshheader(ptrofptr, i, filedata)
+            if not devil1geo.getmeshheader(ptrofptr, i, filedata):
+                raise RuntimeError("failed to get mesh header #" + str(i))
         return
     pass