diff --git a/common/hardware_tici.py b/common/hardware_tici.py
index 2aec9b2e5d..aac7a229ca 100644
--- a/common/hardware_tici.py
+++ b/common/hardware_tici.py
@@ -25,7 +25,11 @@ MM_MODEM_ACCESS_TECHNOLOGY_LTE = 1 << 14
 
 class Tici(HardwareBase):
   def __init__(self):
-    import dbus  # pylint: disable=import-error
+    # TODO: remove when dbus is installed everywhere
+    try:
+      import dbus  # pylint: disable=import-error
+    except ImportError:
+      return
 
     self.bus = dbus.SystemBus()
     self.nm = self.bus.get_object(NM, '/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager')
diff --git a/selfdrive/loggerd/uploader.py b/selfdrive/loggerd/uploader.py
index 456712f2bc..354896c180 100644
--- a/selfdrive/loggerd/uploader.py
+++ b/selfdrive/loggerd/uploader.py
@@ -69,7 +69,10 @@ def clear_locks(root):
       cloudlog.exception("clear_locks failed")
 
 def is_on_wifi():
-  return HARDWARE.get_network_type() == NetworkType.wifi
+  try:
+    return HARDWARE.get_network_type() == NetworkType.wifi
+  except Exception:
+    return False
 
 class Uploader():
   def __init__(self, dongle_id, root):