diff --git a/dateparse/main.go b/dateparse/main.go
index a3ffda6..ca534d0 100644
--- a/dateparse/main.go
+++ b/dateparse/main.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package main
 import (
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
+	"os"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/apcera/termtables"
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ func main() {
 
 	layout, err := dateparse.ParseFormat(datestr)
 	if err != nil {
-		panic(err.Error())
+		fatal(err)
 	}
 
 	zonename, _ := time.Now().In(time.Local).Zone()
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ func main() {
 		// time-parsing in go
 		l, err := time.LoadLocation(timezone)
 		if err != nil {
-			panic(err.Error())
+			fatal(err)
 		}
 		loc = l
 		zonename, _ := time.Now().In(l).Zone()
@@ -77,10 +78,6 @@ func main() {
 	fmt.Println(table.Render())
 }
 
-func stuff() (string, string) {
-	return "more", "stuff"
-}
-
 type parser func(datestr string, loc *time.Location, utc bool) string
 
 func parseLocal(datestr string, loc *time.Location, utc bool) string {
@@ -127,3 +124,8 @@ func parseStrict(datestr string, loc *time.Location, utc bool) string {
 	}
 	return t.String()
 }
+
+func fatal(err error) {
+	fmt.Printf("fatal: %s\n", err)
+	os.Exit(1)
+}