diff --git a/src/error.rs b/src/error.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ac7992
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/error.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+use std::ops::Deref;
+
+use htmlescape::encode_minimal;
+
+use gtk;
+use gtk::prelude::*;
+
+use gtk_sys;
+
+use shell;
+
+pub struct ErrorArea {
+    base: gtk::Box,
+    label: gtk::Label,
+}
+
+impl ErrorArea {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        let base = gtk::Box::new(gtk::Orientation::Horizontal, 0);
+
+        let label = gtk::Label::new(None);
+        label.set_line_wrap(true);
+        let error_image = gtk::Image::new_from_icon_name("dialog-error",
+                                                         gtk_sys::GTK_ICON_SIZE_DIALOG as i32);
+        base.pack_start(&error_image, false, true, 10);
+        base.pack_start(&label, true, true, 1);
+
+        ErrorArea { base, label }
+    }
+
+    pub fn show_nvim_start_error(&self, err: &str, cmd: &str) {
+        error!("Can't start nvim: {}\nCommand line: {}", err, cmd);
+        self.label.set_markup(&format!("<big>Can't start nvim instance:</big>\n\
+                                       <i>{}</i>\n\
+                                       <span foreground=\"red\"><i>{}</i></span>\n\n\
+                                       <big>Possible error reasons:</big>\n\
+                                       &#9679; Not supported nvim version (minimum supported version is <b>{}</b>)\n\
+                                       &#9679; Error in configuration file (init.vim or ginit.vim)\n\
+                                       &#9679; Wrong nvim binary path \
+                                       (right path can be passed with <i>--nvim-bin-path=path_here</i> option)", 
+                                       encode_minimal(cmd), encode_minimal(err), shell::MINIMUM_SUPPORTED_NVIM_VERSION));
+        self.base.show_all();
+    }
+}
+
+impl Deref for ErrorArea {
+    type Target = gtk::Box;
+
+    fn deref(&self) -> &gtk::Box {
+        &self.base
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 378a6d0..85fc87f 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ mod shell_dlg;
 mod popup_menu;
 mod project;
 mod tabline;
+mod error;
 
 use std::env;
 use gio::ApplicationExt;
diff --git a/src/nvim.rs b/src/nvim.rs
index ada9d8b..f2af5c4 100644
--- a/src/nvim.rs
+++ b/src/nvim.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
-use std::io::{Result, Error, ErrorKind};
+use std::error;
+use std::fmt;
 use std::env;
 use std::process::{Stdio, Command};
 use std::result;
 use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::ops::{Deref, DerefMut};
 
 use neovim_lib::{Handler, Neovim, NeovimApi, Session, Value, UiAttachOptions, CallError, UiOption};
 use neovim_lib::neovim_api::Tabpage;
@@ -76,11 +78,52 @@ macro_rules! try_uint {
     ($exp:expr) => ($exp.as_u64().ok_or("Can't convert argument to u64".to_owned())?)
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct NvimInitError {
+    source: Box<error::Error>,
+    cmd: String,
+}
+
+impl NvimInitError {
+    pub fn new<E>(cmd: &Command, error: E) -> NvimInitError
+        where E: Into<Box<error::Error>>
+    {
+        NvimInitError {
+            cmd: format!("{:?}", cmd),
+            source: error.into(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn source(&self) -> String {
+        format!("{}", self.source)
+    }
+
+    pub fn cmd(&self) -> &str {
+        &self.cmd
+    }
+}
+
+impl fmt::Display for NvimInitError {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter) -> fmt::Result {        
+        write!(f, "{:?}", self.source)
+    }
+}
+
+impl error::Error for NvimInitError {
+    fn description(&self) -> &str {
+        "Can't start nvim instance"
+    }
+
+    fn cause(&self) -> Option<&error::Error> {
+        Some(&*self.source)
+    }
+}
+
 pub fn initialize(shell: Arc<UiMutex<shell::State>>,
                   nvim_bin_path: Option<&String>,
                   cols: u64,
                   rows: u64)
-                  -> Result<Neovim> {
+                  -> result::Result<Neovim, NvimInitError> {
     let mut cmd = if let Some(path) = nvim_bin_path {
         Command::new(path)
     } else {
@@ -108,10 +151,7 @@ pub fn initialize(shell: Arc<UiMutex<shell::State>>,
     let session = Session::new_child_cmd(&mut cmd);
 
     let session = match session {
-        Err(e) => {
-            println!("Error execute: {:?}", cmd);
-            return Err(From::from(e));
-        }
+        Err(e) => return Err(NvimInitError::new(&cmd, e)),
         Ok(s) => s,
     };
 
@@ -123,9 +163,9 @@ pub fn initialize(shell: Arc<UiMutex<shell::State>>,
     opts.set_popupmenu_external(false);
     opts.set_tabline_external(true);
     nvim.ui_attach(cols, rows, opts)
-        .map_err(|e| Error::new(ErrorKind::Other, e))?;
+        .map_err(|e| NvimInitError::new(&cmd, e))?;
     nvim.command("runtime! ginit.vim")
-        .map_err(|e| Error::new(ErrorKind::Other, e))?;
+        .map_err(|e| NvimInitError::new(&cmd, e))?;
 
     Ok(nvim)
 }
@@ -372,6 +412,95 @@ impl RepaintMode {
     }
 }
 
+
+enum NeovimClientWrapper {
+    Uninitialized,
+    Initialized(Neovim),
+    Error,
+}
+
+impl NeovimClientWrapper {
+    pub fn is_initialized(&self) -> bool {
+        match *self {
+            NeovimClientWrapper::Initialized(_) => true,
+            _ => false,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn is_error(&self) -> bool {
+        match *self {
+            NeovimClientWrapper::Error => true,
+            _ => false,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn nvim(&self) -> &Neovim {
+        match *self {
+            NeovimClientWrapper::Initialized(ref nvim) => nvim,
+            NeovimClientWrapper::Uninitialized => panic!("Access to uninitialized neovim client"),
+            NeovimClientWrapper::Error => panic!("Access to neovim client that is not started due to some error"),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn nvim_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Neovim {
+        match *self {
+            NeovimClientWrapper::Initialized(ref mut nvim) => nvim,
+            NeovimClientWrapper::Uninitialized => panic!("Access to uninitialized neovim client"),
+            NeovimClientWrapper::Error => panic!("Access to neovim client that is not started due to some error"),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub struct NeovimClient {
+    nvim: NeovimClientWrapper
+}
+
+impl NeovimClient {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        NeovimClient { 
+            nvim: NeovimClientWrapper::Uninitialized,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_nvim(&mut self, nvim: Neovim) {
+        self.nvim = NeovimClientWrapper::Initialized(nvim);
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_error(&mut self) {
+        self.nvim = NeovimClientWrapper::Error;
+    }
+
+    pub fn is_initialized(&self) -> bool {
+        self.nvim.is_initialized()
+    }
+
+    pub fn is_error(&self) -> bool {
+        self.nvim.is_error()
+    }
+
+    pub fn nvim(&self) -> &Neovim {
+        self.nvim.nvim()
+    }
+
+    pub fn nvim_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Neovim {
+        self.nvim.nvim_mut()
+    }
+}
+
+impl Deref for NeovimClient {
+    type Target = Neovim;
+
+    fn deref(&self) -> &Neovim {
+        self.nvim()
+    }
+}
+
+impl DerefMut for NeovimClient {
+    fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Neovim {
+        self.nvim_mut()
+    }
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
diff --git a/src/popup_menu.rs b/src/popup_menu.rs
index a8e1ce4..170fd4e 100644
--- a/src/popup_menu.rs
+++ b/src/popup_menu.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ use gdk::{EventButton, EventType};
 
 use neovim_lib::{Neovim, NeovimApi};
 
+use nvim;
 use nvim::ErrorReport;
 use shell;
 use input;
@@ -16,7 +17,7 @@ use input;
 const MAX_VISIBLE_ROWS: i32 = 10;
 
 struct State {
-    nvim: Option<Rc<RefCell<Neovim>>>,
+    nvim: Option<Rc<RefCell<nvim::NeovimClient>>>,
     renderer: gtk::CellRendererText,
     tree: gtk::TreeView,
     scroll: gtk::ScrolledWindow,
diff --git a/src/shell.rs b/src/shell.rs
index 36f38c0..c39caee 100644
--- a/src/shell.rs
+++ b/src/shell.rs
@@ -20,19 +20,21 @@ use neovim_lib::neovim_api::Tabpage;
 use settings::{Settings, FontSource};
 use ui_model::{UiModel, Cell, Attrs, Color, ModelRect, COLOR_BLACK, COLOR_WHITE, COLOR_RED};
 use nvim;
-use nvim::{RedrawEvents, GuiApi, RepaintMode, ErrorReport};
+use nvim::{RedrawEvents, GuiApi, RepaintMode, ErrorReport, NeovimClient};
 use input;
 use input::keyval_to_input_string;
 use cursor::Cursor;
 use ui::UiMutex;
 use popup_menu::PopupMenu;
 use tabline::Tabline;
+use error;
 
-const DEFAULT_FONT_NAME: &'static str = "DejaVu Sans Mono 12";
+const DEFAULT_FONT_NAME: &str = "DejaVu Sans Mono 12";
+pub const MINIMUM_SUPPORTED_NVIM_VERSION: &str = "0.2";
 
 macro_rules! idle_cb_call {
     ($state:ident.$cb:ident($( $x:expr ),*)) => (
-            glib::idle_add(move || {
+            gtk::idle_add(move || {
                                if let Some(ref cb) = $state.borrow().$cb {
                                    (&mut *cb.borrow_mut())($($x),*);
                                }
@@ -58,14 +60,16 @@ pub struct State {
     cur_attrs: Option<Attrs>,
     pub mode: NvimMode,
     mouse_enabled: bool,
-    nvim: Option<Rc<RefCell<Neovim>>>,
+    nvim: Rc<RefCell<NeovimClient>>,
     font_desc: FontDescription,
     cursor: Option<Cursor>,
     popup_menu: RefCell<PopupMenu>,
     settings: Rc<RefCell<Settings>>,
 
+    stack: gtk::Stack,
     drawing_area: gtk::DrawingArea,
     tabs: Tabline,
+    error_area: error::ErrorArea,
 
     line_height: Option<f64>,
     char_width: Option<f64>,
@@ -84,7 +88,7 @@ impl State {
 
         State {
             model: UiModel::new(1, 1),
-            nvim: None,
+            nvim: Rc::new(RefCell::new(NeovimClient::new())),
             cur_attrs: None,
             bg_color: COLOR_BLACK,
             fg_color: COLOR_WHITE,
@@ -96,8 +100,10 @@ impl State {
             popup_menu,
             settings: settings,
 
+            stack: gtk::Stack::new(),
             drawing_area,
             tabs: Tabline::new(),
+            error_area: error::ErrorArea::new(),
 
             line_height: None,
             char_width: None,
@@ -119,11 +125,11 @@ impl State {
     }
 
     pub fn nvim(&self) -> RefMut<Neovim> {
-        self.nvim.as_ref().unwrap().borrow_mut()
+        RefMut::map(self.nvim.borrow_mut(), |n| n.nvim_mut())
     }
 
-    pub fn nvim_clone(&self) -> Rc<RefCell<Neovim>> {
-        self.nvim.as_ref().unwrap().clone()
+    pub fn nvim_clone(&self) -> Rc<RefCell<NeovimClient>> {
+        self.nvim.clone()
     }
 
     pub fn set_detach_cb<F>(&mut self, cb: Option<F>)
@@ -284,14 +290,27 @@ impl Shell {
         shell
     }
 
+    pub fn is_nvim_initialized(&self) -> bool {
+        let state = self.state.borrow();
+        let nvim = state.nvim.borrow();
+        nvim.is_initialized()
+    }
+
     pub fn init(&mut self) {
         let mut state = self.state.borrow_mut();
         state.drawing_area.set_hexpand(true);
         state.drawing_area.set_vexpand(true);
         state.drawing_area.set_can_focus(true);
 
-        self.widget.pack_start(&*state.tabs, false, true, 0);
-        self.widget.pack_start(&state.drawing_area, true, true, 0);
+        let nvim_box = gtk::Box::new(gtk::Orientation::Vertical, 0);
+
+        nvim_box.pack_start(&*state.tabs, false, true, 0);
+        nvim_box.pack_start(&state.drawing_area, true, true, 0);
+
+        state.stack.add_named(&nvim_box, "Nvim");
+        state.stack.add_named(&*state.error_area, "Error");
+
+        self.widget.pack_start(&state.stack, true, true, 0);
 
         state
             .drawing_area
@@ -516,27 +535,45 @@ fn update_line_metrics(state_arc: &Arc<UiMutex<State>>, ctx: &cairo::Context) {
     }
 }
 
-fn gtk_draw(state: &Arc<UiMutex<State>>, ctx: &cairo::Context) -> Inhibit {
-    update_line_metrics(state, ctx);
-    init_nvim(state);
+fn gtk_draw(state_arc: &Arc<UiMutex<State>>, ctx: &cairo::Context) -> Inhibit {
+    update_line_metrics(state_arc, ctx);
+    init_nvim(state_arc);
 
-    draw(&*state.borrow(), ctx);
-    request_window_resize(&mut *state.borrow_mut());
+    let mut state = state_arc.borrow_mut();
+    // in case nvim not initialized
+    if !state.nvim.borrow().is_error() {
+        draw(&*state, ctx);
+        request_window_resize(&mut *state);
+    }
 
     Inhibit(false)
 }
 
 
 fn init_nvim(state_arc: &Arc<UiMutex<State>>) {
-    let mut state = state_arc.borrow_mut();
+    let state = state_arc.borrow();
 
-    if state.nvim.is_none() {
+    let mut nvim_client = state.nvim.borrow_mut();
+    if !nvim_client.is_initialized() && !nvim_client.is_error() {
         let (cols, rows) = state.calc_nvim_size().unwrap();
-        let mut nvim = nvim::initialize(state_arc.clone(),
-                                        state.options.nvim_bin_path.as_ref(),
-                                        cols as u64,
-                                        rows as u64)
-                .expect("Can't start nvim instance");
+        let mut nvim = match nvim::initialize(state_arc.clone(),
+                                              state.options.nvim_bin_path.as_ref(),
+                                              cols as u64,
+                                              rows as u64) {
+            Ok(nvim) => nvim,
+            Err(err) => {
+                nvim_client.set_error();
+                state.error_area.show_nvim_start_error(&err.source(), err.cmd());
+
+                let stack = state.stack.clone();
+                gtk::idle_add(move || {
+                                  stack.set_visible_child_name("Error");
+                                  Continue(false)
+                              });
+
+                return;
+            }
+        };
 
         if let Some(ref path) = state.options.open_path {
             nvim.command(&format!("e {}", path)).report_err(&mut nvim);
@@ -546,12 +583,12 @@ fn init_nvim(state_arc: &Arc<UiMutex<State>>) {
 
         let state_ref = state_arc.clone();
         thread::spawn(move || {
-            guard.join().expect("Can't join dispatch thread");
+                          guard.join().expect("Can't join dispatch thread");
 
-            idle_cb_call!(state_ref.detach_cb());
-        });
+                          idle_cb_call!(state_ref.detach_cb());
+                      });
 
-        state.nvim = Some(Rc::new(RefCell::new(nvim)));
+        nvim_client.set_nvim(nvim);
     }
 }
 
@@ -783,6 +820,11 @@ fn gtk_configure_event(state: &Arc<UiMutex<State>>, _: &EventConfigure) -> bool
     if let Some(timer) = state_ref.resize_timer {
         glib::source_remove(timer);
     }
+
+    if !state_ref.nvim.borrow().is_initialized() {
+        return false;
+    }
+
     if let Some((columns, rows)) = state_ref.calc_nvim_size() {
         let state = state.clone();
         state_ref.resize_timer = Some(glib::timeout_add(250, move || {
@@ -967,8 +1009,7 @@ impl RedrawEvents for State {
                       selected: Tabpage,
                       tabs: Vec<(Tabpage, Option<&str>)>)
                       -> RepaintMode {
-        self.tabs
-            .update_tabs(&self.nvim.as_ref().unwrap(), &selected, &tabs);
+        self.tabs.update_tabs(&self.nvim, &selected, &tabs);
 
         RepaintMode::Nothing
     }
diff --git a/src/tabline.rs b/src/tabline.rs
index a587a4e..69efe3f 100644
--- a/src/tabline.rs
+++ b/src/tabline.rs
@@ -7,15 +7,16 @@ use gtk::prelude::*;
 
 use glib::signal;
 
-use neovim_lib::{Neovim, NeovimApi};
+use neovim_lib::NeovimApi;
 use neovim_lib::neovim_api::Tabpage;
 
+use nvim;
 use nvim::ErrorReport;
 
 struct State {
     data: Vec<Tabpage>,
     selected: Option<Tabpage>,
-    nvim: Option<Rc<RefCell<Neovim>>>,
+    nvim: Option<Rc<RefCell<nvim::NeovimClient>>>,
 }
 
 impl State {
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ impl State {
         let target = &self.data[idx as usize];
         if Some(target) != self.selected.as_ref() {
             let mut nvim = self.nvim.as_ref().unwrap().borrow_mut();
-            nvim.set_current_tabpage(&target).report_err(&mut *nvim);
+            nvim.set_current_tabpage(&target).report_err(&mut **nvim);
         }
     }
 }
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ impl Tabline {
     }
 
     fn update_state(&self,
-                    nvim: &Rc<RefCell<Neovim>>,
+                    nvim: &Rc<RefCell<nvim::NeovimClient>>,
                     selected: &Tabpage,
                     tabs: &Vec<(Tabpage, Option<&str>)>) {
         let mut state = self.state.borrow_mut();
@@ -81,7 +82,7 @@ impl Tabline {
     }
 
     pub fn update_tabs(&self,
-                       nvim: &Rc<RefCell<Neovim>>,
+                       nvim: &Rc<RefCell<nvim::NeovimClient>>,
                        selected: &Tabpage,
                        tabs: &Vec<(Tabpage, Option<&str>)>) {
         if tabs.len() <= 1 {
diff --git a/src/ui.rs b/src/ui.rs
index 58d69e3..0548775 100644
--- a/src/ui.rs
+++ b/src/ui.rs
@@ -159,6 +159,10 @@ fn on_help_about(comps: &Components) {
 }
 
 fn gtk_delete(comps: &UiMutex<Components>, shell: &RefCell<Shell>) -> Inhibit {
+    if !shell.borrow().is_nvim_initialized() {
+        return Inhibit(false);
+    }
+
     Inhibit(if shell_dlg::can_close_window(comps, shell) {
                 let comps = comps.borrow();
                 comps.close_window();