diff --git a/context.go b/context.go
index 1763ba9..124363b 100644
--- a/context.go
+++ b/context.go
@@ -406,8 +406,13 @@ func (dc *Context) SetFontFace(fontFace font.Face) {
 }
 
 func (dc *Context) LoadFontFace(path string, points float64) {
-	dc.fontFace = loadFontFace(path, points)
-	dc.fontHeight = points * 72 / 96
+	if face, err := loadFontFace(path, points); err == nil {
+		dc.fontFace = face
+		dc.fontHeight = points * 72 / 96
+	} else {
+		dc.fontFace = basicfont.Face7x13
+		dc.fontHeight = 13
+	}
 }
 
 func (dc *Context) DrawString(s string, x, y float64) {
diff --git a/util.go b/util.go
index f2502b7..bd0acd9 100644
--- a/util.go
+++ b/util.go
@@ -90,19 +90,20 @@ func unfix(x fixed.Int26_6) float64 {
 	return 0
 }
 
-func loadFontFace(path string, points float64) font.Face {
+func loadFontFace(path string, points float64) (font.Face, error) {
 	fontBytes, err := ioutil.ReadFile(path)
 	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
+		return nil, err
 	}
 	f, err := truetype.Parse(fontBytes)
 	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
+		return nil, err
 	}
-	return truetype.NewFace(f, &truetype.Options{
+	face := truetype.NewFace(f, &truetype.Options{
 		Size: points,
 		// Hinting: font.HintingFull,
 	})
+	return face, nil
 }
 
 func flattenPath(p raster.Path) [][]Point {