diff --git a/adafruit_featherwing/minitft_featherwing.py b/adafruit_featherwing/minitft_featherwing.py
index f5d99a5..6f2b371 100755
--- a/adafruit_featherwing/minitft_featherwing.py
+++ b/adafruit_featherwing/minitft_featherwing.py
@@ -105,7 +105,12 @@ def buttons(self):
         """
         Return a set of buttons with current push values
         """
-        button_values = self._ss.digital_read_bulk(self._button_mask)
+        try:
+            button_values = self._ss.digital_read_bulk(self._button_mask)
+        except OSError:
+            return Buttons(*[False for button in
+                             (BUTTON_UP, BUTTON_DOWN, BUTTON_LEFT, BUTTON_RIGHT,
+                              BUTTON_A, BUTTON_B, BUTTON_SEL)])
         return Buttons(*[not button_values & (1 << button) for button in
                          (BUTTON_UP, BUTTON_DOWN, BUTTON_LEFT, BUTTON_RIGHT,
                           BUTTON_A, BUTTON_B, BUTTON_SEL)])