diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
index 97726cd7ae..86e838d122 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ ARDOUR_UI::ARDOUR_UI (int *argcp, char **argvp[], const char* localedir)
 	/* lets get this party started */
 
 	try {
-		if (ARDOUR::init (ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::use_vst, ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::try_hw_optimization, localedir)) {
+		if (!ARDOUR::init (ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::use_vst, ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::try_hw_optimization, localedir)) {
 			throw failed_constructor ();
 		}
 
diff --git a/libs/ardour/ardour/ardour.h b/libs/ardour/ardour/ardour.h
index 5f64c4b6a3..eaf6b572fd 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/ardour/ardour.h
+++ b/libs/ardour/ardour/ardour.h
@@ -50,7 +50,15 @@ namespace ARDOUR {
 	extern PBD::Signal1<void,std::string> BootMessage;
 	extern PBD::Signal0<void> GUIIdle;
 
-	int init (bool with_vst, bool try_optimization, const char* localedir);
+	/**
+	 * @param with_vst true to enable VST Support
+	 * @param try_optimization true to enable hardware optimized routines
+	 * for mixing, finding peak values etc.
+	 * @param localedir Directory to look for localisation files
+	 *
+	 * @return true if Ardour library was successfully initialized
+	 */
+	bool init (bool with_vst, bool try_optimization, const char* localedir);
 	void init_post_engine ();
 	int cleanup ();
 	bool no_auto_connect ();
diff --git a/libs/ardour/globals.cc b/libs/ardour/globals.cc
index 4c91956ffd..5e3553ad8a 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/globals.cc
+++ b/libs/ardour/globals.cc
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ lotsa_files_please ()
 	}
 }
 
-int
+bool
 ARDOUR::init (bool use_windows_vst, bool try_optimization, const char* localedir)
 {
 	if (!Glib::thread_supported()) {
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ ARDOUR::init (bool use_windows_vst, bool try_optimization, const char* localedir
 	Config = new RCConfiguration;
 
 	if (Config->load_state ()) {
-		return -1;
+		return false;
 	}
 
 	Config->set_use_windows_vst (use_windows_vst);
@@ -282,13 +282,13 @@ ARDOUR::init (bool use_windows_vst, bool try_optimization, const char* localedir
 
 #ifdef WINDOWS_VST_SUPPORT
 	if (Config->get_use_windows_vst() && fst_init (0)) {
-		return -1;
+		return false;
 	}
 #endif
 
 #ifdef LXVST_SUPPORT
 	if (Config->get_use_lxvst() && vstfx_init (0)) {
-		return -1;
+		return false;
 	}
 #endif
 
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ ARDOUR::init (bool use_windows_vst, bool try_optimization, const char* localedir
 	EventTypeMap::instance().new_parameter(EnvelopeAutomation);
 	EventTypeMap::instance().new_parameter(MidiCCAutomation);
 
-	return 0;
+	return true;
 }
 
 void