diff --git a/watertap/ui/fsapi.py b/watertap/ui/fsapi.py
index 83eac5e7c3..dc2cd14669 100644
--- a/watertap/ui/fsapi.py
+++ b/watertap/ui/fsapi.py
@@ -718,7 +718,11 @@ def initialize(self, *args, **kwargs):
             Return value of the underlying initialization function. Otherwise, return none
         """
         if self.get_action(Actions.initialize) is not None:
-            return self.run_action(Actions.initialize, *args, **kwargs)
+            try:
+                result = self.run_action(Actions.initialize, *args, **kwargs)
+            except Exception as err:
+                raise RuntimeError(f"Initializing flowsheet: {err}") from err
+            return result
         else:
             return None