diff --git a/scripts/register/errors.py b/scripts/register/errors.py
index faa2a2fea..42d5838a2 100755
--- a/scripts/register/errors.py
+++ b/scripts/register/errors.py
@@ -6,14 +6,12 @@ import sys
 import os
 import re
 import locking
-from locking import trylock, unlock
+from locking import lock, unlock
 
 From="accounts@vinyambar.de"
 
 # lock the input file:
-if (trylock(sys.argv[1]+'.err')!=0):
-  print "Could not lock "+sys.argv[1]+".err"
-  sys.exit()
+lock(sys.argv[1]+'.err',180)
 
 # move input file then unlock it:
 if os.access(sys.argv[1]+'.err', os.F_OK)==0:
diff --git a/scripts/register/locking.py b/scripts/register/locking.py
index e57a5fc6e..daf6c4124 100755
--- a/scripts/register/locking.py
+++ b/scripts/register/locking.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 
+import time
 import os
 import stat
 
@@ -10,7 +11,7 @@ def trylock(file):
     return 1
   return 0
 
-def lock(file):
+def lock(file, timeout=60):
   locked=1
   while locked:
     try:
@@ -19,7 +20,7 @@ def lock(file):
     except:
       update=os.stat(file+'.lock')[stat.ST_MTIME]
       now=time.time()
-      if (now > update + 60):
+      if (now > update + timeout):
         locked=0
         print "removing stale lockfile "+file+".lock"
         os.unlink(file+'.lock')