diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7f87156..2af96ba 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -6,10 +6,22 @@ The bot calls the Api and sends the invitation link via e-mail to a given receip
 
 ## Usage
 
-Use container image or run this after cloning: 
+Use container image or run this after cloning. In both cases you need to create a `.env` file containing the matrix and mail server credentials:
+
+```
+cp. .env.example .env
+```
+
+If you want to run it without the container you can run it like this:
+
 
 ```
 . bin/activate
 python -m matrix_bot_invitation_mailer
 ```
 
+And for use with docker run it like this:
+
+```
+docker compose up -d
+```
diff --git a/matrix_bot_invitation_mailer/__main__.py b/matrix_bot_invitation_mailer/__main__.py
index 3ad815c..fbcf45d 100644
--- a/matrix_bot_invitation_mailer/__main__.py
+++ b/matrix_bot_invitation_mailer/__main__.py
@@ -117,9 +117,9 @@ The link will be valid for 7 days.""".format(os.getenv("REGISTRATION_URL") + res
 while True:
     try:
         bot.run()
-    except ServerDisconnectedError:
-        time.sleep(5)
+    except (ServerDisconnectedError, ValueError):
         logging.info("connection lost, reconnecting in 5 seconds...")
+        time.sleep(5)
     except KeyboardInterrupt:
         logging.info("exiting...")
         sys.exit(0)