diff --git a/cpp/arcticdb/python/python_module.cpp b/cpp/arcticdb/python/python_module.cpp
index ebb75b4e4f..ea0defb3bb 100644
--- a/cpp/arcticdb/python/python_module.cpp
+++ b/cpp/arcticdb/python/python_module.cpp
@@ -186,11 +186,12 @@ void register_termination_handler() {
                 std::rethrow_exception(eptr);
             } catch (const std::exception& e) {
                 arcticdb::log::root().error(
-                        "Terminate called in thread {}: {}\n Aborting", std::this_thread::get_id(), e.what()
+                        "Terminate called in thread {}: {}\n Exiting", std::this_thread::get_id(), e.what()
                 );
+                PyErr_SetString(PyExc_TypeError, e.what());
             }
         }
-        std::abort();
+        throw py::error_already_set();
     });
 }