diff --git a/core/python/Sample.py b/core/python/Sample.py
index ec0d347..9a60d1f 100644
--- a/core/python/Sample.py
+++ b/core/python/Sample.py
@@ -211,17 +211,23 @@ def fromDPMDirectory(cls, name, directory, redirector='root://hephyse.oeaw.ac.at
         files = []
         for d in directories:
             cmd = [ "xrdfs", redirector, "ls", d ]
+            fileList = []
             for i in range(10):
                 try:
                     fileList = [ file for file in subprocess.check_output( cmd ).split("\n")[:-1] ]
                     break
                 except:
                     if i<9: pass
+            counter = 0
             for filename in fileList:
                 if filename.endswith(".root"):
                     files.append( redirector + os.path.join( d, filename ) )
+                    counter += 1
                 if maxN is not None and maxN>0 and len(files)>=maxN:
                     break
+            if counter==0:
+                raise helpers.EmptySampleError( "No root files found in directory %s." %d )
+
         sample =  cls(name = name, treeName = treeName, files = files, normalization = normalization, xSection = xSection,\
             selectionString = selectionString, weightString = weightString,
             isData = isData, color=color, texName = texName)
@@ -710,7 +716,8 @@ def __loadChain(self):
                 except IOError as e:
                     logger.error( "Could not load file %s", f )
                     #raise e
-
+            if counter==0:
+                raise helpers.EmptySampleError( "No root files for sample %s." %self.name ) 
             logger.debug( "Loaded %i files for sample '%s'.", counter, self.name )
 
         # Add friends
diff --git a/examples/example_treeMaker.py b/examples/example_treeMaker.py
index e32200b..0978702 100644
--- a/examples/example_treeMaker.py
+++ b/examples/example_treeMaker.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 import sys
 import logging
 import ROOT
+import os
 
 #RootTools
 from RootTools.core.standard import *
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@
 
 
 # from files
-s0 = Sample.fromFiles("s0", files = ["example_data/file_0.root"], treeName = "Events")
+s0 = Sample.fromFiles("s0", files = [os.path.expandvars("$CMSSW_BASE/src/RootTools/examples/example_data/file_0.root")], treeName = "Events")
 
 read_variables =  [ TreeVariable.fromString( "nJet/I"), TreeVariable.fromString('Jet[pt/F,eta/F,phi/F]' ) ] \
                 + [ TreeVariable.fromString(x) for x in [ 'met_pt/F', 'met_phi/F' ] ]
@@ -51,3 +52,5 @@ def filler(event):
 maker.start()
 while reader.run():
     maker.run()
+
+logger.info("Success!")
diff --git a/fwlite/python/Database.py b/fwlite/python/Database.py
index 3363d3a..7c2b50f 100644
--- a/fwlite/python/Database.py
+++ b/fwlite/python/Database.py
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ def getObjects(self, key):
                 return objs
 
             except sqlite3.DatabaseError as e:
-                logger.error( "There seems to be an issue with the database, trying to read again." )
+                logger.error( "There seems to be an issue with the database, trying to read again from %s.", self.database_file )
                 logger.info( "Attempt no %i", i )
                 self.close()
                 self.connect()