diff --git a/src/secret_handler.py b/src/secret_handler.py
index f7e7dd7..e2ba04d 100644
--- a/src/secret_handler.py
+++ b/src/secret_handler.py
@@ -1,7 +1,15 @@
 from cryptography.fernet import Fernet
+import sys
 
-with open("/etc/secrets/encryption_key","rb") as file:
-		  encryption_key = file.read()
+try:
+	with open("/etc/secrets/encryption_key","rb") as file:
+			  encryption_key = file.read()
+except FileNotFoundError:
+	print("[FATAL] Encryption key not found")
+	sys.exit(1)
+except Exception as e:
+	print(f"[FATAL]Failed to read encryption key: {e}")
+	sys.exit(1)
 
 fernet = Fernet(encryption_key)
 
@@ -12,5 +20,14 @@ def decrypt_token(token:str)->str:
 	return fernet.decrypt(token.encode()).decode()
 		  
 def return_credentials(path: str)->str:
-	with open (path) as file:
-	    return file.read().strip()
+	try:
+		with open (path) as file:
+			return file.read().strip()
+	except FileNotFoundError:
+		print(f"[FATAL] Secret file not found: {path}")
+		sys.exit(1)
+	except Exception as e:
+		print(f"[FATAL] Failed to read secret file {path}: {e}")
+		sys.exit(1)
+
+