diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index de0cdbc9..953d2253 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Version 2.00.1 (2012-08-29 10:05:45) rc4
+Version 2.00.1 (2012-08-29 10:12:06) rc4
diff --git a/gluon/widget.py b/gluon/widget.py
index 13114466..3b8055f5 100644
--- a/gluon/widget.py
+++ b/gluon/widget.py
@@ -33,8 +33,9 @@ try:
     import Tkinter, tkMessageBox
     import contrib.taskbar_widget
     from winservice import web2py_windows_service_handler
+    have_winservice = True
 except:
-    pass
+    have_winservice = False
 
 
 try:
@@ -1080,8 +1081,12 @@ def start(cron=True):
     # ## if -W install/start/stop web2py as service
     if options.winservice:
         if os.name == 'nt':
-            web2py_windows_service_handler(['', options.winservice],
-                    options.config)
+            if have_winservice:
+                web2py_windows_service_handler(['', options.winservice],
+                                               options.config)
+            else:
+                print 'Error: Missing python module winservice'
+                sys.exit(1)
         else:
             print 'Error: Windows services not supported on this platform'
             sys.exit(1)