diff --git a/src/pulse/solver.py b/src/pulse/solver.py
index 90c7018b..e5a2fd8b 100644
--- a/src/pulse/solver.py
+++ b/src/pulse/solver.py
@@ -79,7 +79,10 @@ def __init__(
         self._state = state
 
         self._solver = dolfin.PETScSNESSolver(mpi_comm_world())
-        self._solver.set_from_options()
+        try:
+            self._solver.set_from_options()
+        except RuntimeError:
+            logger.warning("Unable to set PETSc options")
 
         self._solver.parameters.update(self.parameters)
         self._snes = self._solver.snes()