diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/Cell/lv2/sys_usbd.cpp b/rpcs3/Emu/Cell/lv2/sys_usbd.cpp
index d4ba49674e..3b15330e77 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/Cell/lv2/sys_usbd.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/Cell/lv2/sys_usbd.cpp
@@ -308,13 +308,19 @@ usb_handler_thread::usb_handler_thread()
 			sys_usbd.success("Found device: Santroller");
 			// Send the device a specific control transfer so that it jumps to a RPCS3 compatible mode
 			libusb_device_handle* lusb_handle;
-			libusb_open(list[index], &lusb_handle);
+			if (libusb_open(list[index], &lusb_handle) == LIBUSB_SUCCESS)
+			{
 #ifdef __linux__
-			libusb_set_auto_detach_kernel_driver(lusb_handle, true);
-			libusb_claim_interface(lusb_handle, 2);
+				libusb_set_auto_detach_kernel_driver(lusb_handle, true);
+				libusb_claim_interface(lusb_handle, 2);
 #endif
-			libusb_control_transfer(lusb_handle, +LIBUSB_ENDPOINT_IN | +LIBUSB_REQUEST_TYPE_CLASS | +LIBUSB_RECIPIENT_INTERFACE, 0x01, 0x03f2, 2, nullptr, 0, 5000);
-			libusb_close(lusb_handle);
+				libusb_control_transfer(lusb_handle, +LIBUSB_ENDPOINT_IN | +LIBUSB_REQUEST_TYPE_CLASS | +LIBUSB_RECIPIENT_INTERFACE, 0x01, 0x03f2, 2, nullptr, 0, 5000);
+				libusb_close(lusb_handle);
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				sys_usbd.error("Unable to open Santroller device, make sure Santroller isn't open in the background.");
+			}
 		}
 
 		// Top Shot Elite controllers