diff --git a/tools/cmd/clipboard/read.go b/tools/cmd/clipboard/read.go
index 2f2630027..3c4ba5656 100644
--- a/tools/cmd/clipboard/read.go
+++ b/tools/cmd/clipboard/read.go
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ func error_from_status(status string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("no primary selection available on this system")
 	case "EPERM":
 		return fmt.Errorf("permission denied")
+	case "EBUSY":
+		return fmt.Errorf("a temporary error occurred, try again later.")
 	default:
 		return fmt.Errorf("%s", status)
 	}
diff --git a/tools/cmd/clipboard/write.go b/tools/cmd/clipboard/write.go
index 9d1e4c4b7..f5697603c 100644
--- a/tools/cmd/clipboard/write.go
+++ b/tools/cmd/clipboard/write.go
@@ -102,6 +102,8 @@ func write_loop(inputs []*Input, opts *Options) (err error) {
 				return fmt.Errorf("Could not write to primary selection as the system does not support it")
 			case "EPERM":
 				return fmt.Errorf("Could not write to clipboard as permission was denied")
+			case "EBUSY":
+				return fmt.Errorf("Could not write to clipboard, a temporary error occurred, try again later.")
 			default:
 				return fmt.Errorf("Could not write to clipboard unknowns status returned from terminal: %#v", metadata["status"])
 			}