diff --git a/client/src/handshake.rs b/client/src/handshake.rs
index 4da8e9e..783029e 100644
--- a/client/src/handshake.rs
+++ b/client/src/handshake.rs
@@ -44,7 +44,13 @@ pub async fn negotiate(uri: &str) -> PeerCaps {
             warn!("🤝 handshake not implemented on server – assuming defaults");
             PeerCaps::default()
         }
-        Ok(Err(e)) => panic!("\"handshake failed: {e}\""),
-        Err(_) => panic!("handshake timed out"),
+        Ok(Err(e)) => {
+            warn!("🤝 handshake failed: {e} – assuming defaults");
+            PeerCaps::default()
+        }
+        Err(_) => {
+            warn!("🤝 handshake timed out – assuming defaults");
+            PeerCaps::default()
+        }
     }
 }