diff --git a/src/lib/storage/jobs/helpers/performConversion.ts b/src/lib/storage/jobs/helpers/performConversion.ts
index 82a724b21..49e74a0d1 100644
--- a/src/lib/storage/jobs/helpers/performConversion.ts
+++ b/src/lib/storage/jobs/helpers/performConversion.ts
@@ -23,48 +23,55 @@ export default async function performConversion({
   req,
   res,
 }: ConversionRequest) {
-  console.log(`Performing conversion for ${id}`);
-  const storage = new StorageHandler();
-  const job = new ConversionJob(DB);
-  await job.load(id, owner, title);
-  if (!job.canStart()) {
-    console.log(`job ${id} was not started`);
-    return res
-      ? res.status(405).send({ message: 'Job is already active' })
-      : null;
-  }
+  try {
+    console.log(`Performing conversion for ${id}`);
+    const storage = new StorageHandler();
+    const job = new ConversionJob(DB);
+    await job.load(id, owner, title);
+    if (!job.canStart()) {
+      console.log(`job ${id} was not started`);
+      return res
+        ? res.status(405).send({ message: 'Job is already active' })
+        : null;
+    }
 
-  console.log(`job ${id} is not active, starting`);
-  await job.start();
+    console.log(`job ${id} is not active, starting`);
+    await job.start();
 
-  if (res) {
-    res.status(200).send();
-  }
+    if (res) {
+      res.status(200).send();
+    }
 
-  const { ws, exporter, settings, bl, rules } = await job.createWorkSpace(api);
-  const decks = await job.createFlashcards(bl, req, id, rules, settings);
-  if (!decks) {
-    await job.failed();
-    return;
+    const { ws, exporter, settings, bl, rules } = await job.createWorkSpace(
+      api
+    );
+    const decks = await job.createFlashcards(bl, req, id, rules, settings);
+    if (!decks) {
+      await job.failed();
+      return;
+    }
+    const { size, key, apkg } = await job.buildingDeck(
+      bl,
+      exporter,
+      decks,
+      ws,
+      settings,
+      storage,
+      id,
+      owner
+    );
+    await notifyUserIfNecessary({
+      owner,
+      rules,
+      db: DB,
+      size,
+      key,
+      id,
+      apkg,
+    });
+    await job.completed();
+  } catch (error) {
+    res?.status(400).send('conversion failed.');
+    console.error(error);
   }
-  const { size, key, apkg } = await job.buildingDeck(
-    bl,
-    exporter,
-    decks,
-    ws,
-    settings,
-    storage,
-    id,
-    owner
-  );
-  await notifyUserIfNecessary({
-    owner,
-    rules,
-    db: DB,
-    size,
-    key,
-    id,
-    apkg,
-  });
-  await job.completed();
 }