--- a/usb488.py	Tue Dec 08 14:00:45 2020 +1030
+++ b/usb488.py	Fri Jan 08 14:01:41 2021 +1030
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@
                 break
         if not found:
             raise BaseException("Could not find a suitable USB device")
-    
+
         # Open the device and claim the USB interface that supports the spec
         handle = dev.open()
         handle.setConfiguration(dev.configurations[confidx].value)
@@ -145,9 +145,18 @@
         self.handle = handle
 
         # Get some info for humans
-        self.vendname = handle.getString(dev.iManufacturer, 1024)
-        self.prodname = handle.getString(dev.iProduct, 1024)
-        self.serial = handle.getString(dev.iSerialNumber, 1024)
+        try:
+            self.vendname = handle.getString(dev.iManufacturer, 1024)
+        except ValueError:
+            self.vendname = None
+        try:
+            self.prodname = handle.getString(dev.iProduct, 1024)
+        except ValueError:
+            self.prodname = None
+        try:
+            self.serial = handle.getString(dev.iSerialNumber, 1024)
+        except ValueError:
+            self.serial = None
 
         # Determine the endpoints for each operation type
         self.intrep = self.bulkinep = self.bulkoutep = None