diff --git a/pol_env/Tribes/py/register_env.py b/pol_env/Tribes/py/register_env.py
index 418118a..c88b3a1 100644
--- a/pol_env/Tribes/py/register_env.py
+++ b/pol_env/Tribes/py/register_env.py
@@ -469,16 +469,10 @@ def __init__(self, level_file=None, map_type=None):
             )
         except (MapGeometryError, ObservationContractError):
             raise
-        except Exception as e:
-            # Fallback to placeholders if initialization fails
-            print(f"Warning: Could not initialize environment properly: {e}")
-            self.action_space = gym.spaces.Discrete(200)  # safe fallback
-            self.observation_space = gym.spaces.Box(
-                low=-np.inf, 
-                high=np.inf, 
-                shape=(1000,), 
-                dtype=np.float32
-            )
+        except Exception as exc:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "TribesGymWrapper failed while establishing the real PolyVision interface."
+            ) from exc
     
     def reset(self, seed=None, options=None):
         t_reset_start = time.perf_counter() if self._profile_sps_enabled else None
diff --git a/pol_env/Tribes/py/tests/test_environment_contract.py b/pol_env/Tribes/py/tests/test_environment_contract.py
index 181c8f2..2214f0f 100644
--- a/pol_env/Tribes/py/tests/test_environment_contract.py
+++ b/pol_env/Tribes/py/tests/test_environment_contract.py
@@ -93,6 +93,29 @@ def test_wrapper_loaded_observation_geometry_uses_same_contract(self):
             validate_fixed_square_geometry(*dims, wrapper._catalog.width, wrapper._catalog.height)
 
 
+class BootstrapFailureTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_unexpected_bootstrap_failure_is_chained_and_fails_closed(self):
+        bootstrap_failure = RuntimeError("distinctive reset bootstrap failure")
+        tribes_env = SimpleNamespace(reset=mock.Mock(side_effect=bootstrap_failure))
+
+        with mock.patch(
+            "pol_env.Tribes.py.register_env.make_default_env", return_value=tribes_env
+        ), mock.patch.object(
+            TribesGymWrapper, "_resolve_level_pool", return_value=["bootstrap.csv"]
+        ), mock.patch.object(
+            TribesGymWrapper, "_resolve_map_profile", return_value="BARDUR"
+        ), mock.patch.object(
+            TribesGymWrapper, "_validate_level_file_is_square"
+        ):
+            with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+                RuntimeError, "establishing the real PolyVision interface"
+            ) as raised:
+                TribesGymWrapper()
+
+        self.assertIs(raised.exception.__cause__, bootstrap_failure)
+        tribes_env.reset.assert_called_once()
+
+
 class CheckpointCompatibilityTests(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_same_environment_is_accepted(self):
         meta = compatibility_metadata()