diff --git a/lib/cylon.js b/lib/cylon.js
index 21e311c..a606b83 100644
--- a/lib/cylon.js
+++ b/lib/cylon.js
@@ -103,8 +103,8 @@ Cylon.api = function api(Server, opts) {
           ];
         }
 
-        _.each(messages, _.arity(Logger.error, 1));
-        return;
+        _.each(messages, _.arity(Logger.fatal, 1));
+        throw new Error("Missing API plugin - cannot proceed");
       } else {
         throw e;
       }