diff --git a/signer/core/api.go b/signer/core/api.go
index 3c2b80f0d9..d728789fe8 100644
--- a/signer/core/api.go
+++ b/signer/core/api.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"math/big"
+	"os"
 	"reflect"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -156,10 +157,20 @@ func StartClefAccountManager(ksLocation string, nousb, lightKDF bool, scpath str
 
 	// Start a smart card hub
 	if len(scpath) > 0 {
-		if schub, err := scwallet.NewHub(scpath, scwallet.Scheme, ksLocation); err != nil {
-			log.Warn(fmt.Sprintf("Failed to start smart card hub, disabling: %v", err))
+		// Sanity check that the smartcard path is valid
+		fi, err := os.Stat(scpath)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Info("Smartcard socket file missing, disabling", "err", err)
 		} else {
-			backends = append(backends, schub)
+			if fi.Mode()&os.ModeType != os.ModeSocket {
+				log.Error("Invalid smartcard socket file type", "path", scpath, "type", fi.Mode().String())
+			} else {
+				if schub, err := scwallet.NewHub(scpath, scwallet.Scheme, ksLocation); err != nil {
+					log.Warn(fmt.Sprintf("Failed to start smart card hub, disabling: %v", err))
+				} else {
+					backends = append(backends, schub)
+				}
+			}
 		}
 	}