diff --git a/modules/Countdown.py b/modules/Countdown.py
index bfd0718..c1356ef 100644
--- a/modules/Countdown.py
+++ b/modules/Countdown.py
@@ -28,22 +28,28 @@ from Module import Module
 
 class Countdown(Module):
 
-    """Class that adds a countdown item to the bot."""
+    """Track when events will happen."""
 
     def do(self, connection, event, nick, userhost, what, admin_unlocked):
         """Add/retrieve countdown items."""
 
         match = re.search('^!countdown\s+add\s+(\S+)\s+(.*)$', what)
         if match:
-            item = match.group(1)
-            target = parse(match.group(2), default=datetime.now().replace(tzinfo=tzlocal()))
+            try:
+                item = match.group(1)
+                target = parse(match.group(2), default=datetime.now().replace(tzinfo=tzlocal()))
 
-            if not self.config.has_section(self.__class__.__name__):
-                self.config.add_section(self.__class__.__name__)
+                if not self.config.has_section(self.__class__.__name__):
+                    self.config.add_section(self.__class__.__name__)
 
-            self.config.set(self.__class__.__name__, item, target.astimezone(tzutc()).isoformat())
-            replystr = 'added countdown item ' + item
-            return self.reply(connection, event, replystr)
+                self.config.set(self.__class__.__name__, item, target.astimezone(tzutc()).isoformat())
+                replystr = 'added countdown item ' + item
+                return self.reply(connection, event, replystr)
+            except ValueError as e:
+                self.log.error("could not parse countdown item")
+                self.log.exception(e)
+                return self.reply(connection, event,
+                                  "could not parse countdown item: {0:s}".format(str(e)))
 
         match = re.search('^!countdown\s+remove\s+(\S+)$', what)
         if match: