diff --git a/pkg/nvml/init.go b/pkg/nvml/init.go
index e2bc943..bed2ab4 100644
--- a/pkg/nvml/init.go
+++ b/pkg/nvml/init.go
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func Shutdown() Return {
 
 	err := libnvml.close()
 	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
+		return ERROR_UNKNOWN
 	}
 
 	return ret