diff --git a/rc/windowing/repl/x11.kak b/rc/windowing/repl/x11.kak
index cd0214e4..5832dddc 100644
--- a/rc/windowing/repl/x11.kak
+++ b/rc/windowing/repl/x11.kak
@@ -23,9 +23,11 @@ define-command -docstring %{
 }}
 
 define-command x11-send-text -docstring "send the selected text to the repl window" %{
-    nop %sh{
-        printf %s\\n "${kak_selection}" | xsel -i
-        xdotool search --name kak_repl_window key --clearmodifiers Shift+Insert
+    evaluate-commands %sh{
+        printf %s\\n "${kak_selection}" | xsel -i ||
+        echo 'fail x11-send-text: failed to run xsel, see *debug* buffer for details' &&
+        xdotool search --name kak_repl_window key --clearmodifiers Shift+Insert ||
+        echo 'fail x11-send-text: failed to run xdotool, see *debug* buffer for details'
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/rc/windowing/x11.kak b/rc/windowing/x11.kak
index 5e662683..b18f5d73 100644
--- a/rc/windowing/x11.kak
+++ b/rc/windowing/x11.kak
@@ -57,7 +57,8 @@ If no client is passed, then the current client is used' \
         if [ $# -eq 1 ]; then
             printf "evaluate-commands -client '%s' focus" "$1"
         else
-            xdotool windowactivate $kak_client_env_WINDOWID > /dev/null
+            xdotool windowactivate $kak_client_env_WINDOWID > /dev/null ||
+            echo 'fail failed to run x11-focus, see *debug* buffer for details'
         fi
     }
 }