diff --git a/src/com/jwetherell/heart_rate_monitor/HeartRateMonitor.java b/src/com/jwetherell/heart_rate_monitor/HeartRateMonitor.java
index 81a2f5a..1ba8d39 100644
--- a/src/com/jwetherell/heart_rate_monitor/HeartRateMonitor.java
+++ b/src/com/jwetherell/heart_rate_monitor/HeartRateMonitor.java
@@ -64,6 +64,15 @@ public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
         super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
         setContentView(R.layout.main);
 
+        //ask for permissions at runtime
+        if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this,
+                Manifest.permission.CAMERA)
+                != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
+            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this,
+                    new String[]{Manifest.permission.CAMERA},
+                    0);
+        }
+        
         preview = (SurfaceView) findViewById(R.id.preview);
         previewHolder = preview.getHolder();
         previewHolder.addCallback(surfaceCallback);
@@ -92,8 +101,12 @@ public void onResume() {
         super.onResume();
 
         wakeLock.acquire();
-
-        camera = Camera.open();
+        
+        try {
+            camera = Camera.open();
+        }catch(Exception e){
+            e.printStackTrace();
+        }
 
         startTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
     }