diff --git a/lib/extensions.js b/lib/extensions.js
index c8f3d339..8e8e838a 100644
--- a/lib/extensions.js
+++ b/lib/extensions.js
@@ -49,9 +49,13 @@ module.exports = function(realmConstructor) {
                         reject(error);
                     }
 
-                    let syncedRealm = new realmConstructor(config);
-                    //FIXME: RN hangs here. Remove when node's makeCallback alternative is implemented
-                    setTimeout(() => { resolve(syncedRealm); }, 1);                     
+                    try {
+                        let syncedRealm = new this(config);
+                        //FIXME: RN hangs here. Remove when node's makeCallback alternative is implemented
+                        setTimeout(() => { resolve(syncedRealm); }, 1);
+                    } catch (e) {
+                        reject(e);
+                    }
                 });
             });
         },
@@ -62,9 +66,13 @@ module.exports = function(realmConstructor) {
                         callback(error);
                     }
 
-                    let syncedRealm = new realmConstructor(config);
-                    //FIXME: RN hangs here. Remove when node's makeCallback alternative is implemented
-                    setTimeout(() => { callback(null, syncedRealm); }, 1);
+                    try {
+                        let syncedRealm = new this(config);
+                        //FIXME: RN hangs here. Remove when node's makeCallback alternative is implemented
+                        setTimeout(() => { callback(null, syncedRealm); }, 1);
+                    } catch (e) {
+                        callback(e);
+                    }
                 });
         },
     }));