diff --git a/bot.py b/bot.py
index 12e6a13..539c33b 100644
--- a/bot.py
+++ b/bot.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8  -*-
 
 ## Imports
-import socket, string, re
+import socket, string, re, time
 
 from config.irc_config import *
 from config.secure_config import *
@@ -14,11 +14,16 @@ def main():
     read_buffer = str()
 
     while 1:
-        read_buffer = read_buffer + actions.sock.recv(1024)
-        temp = string.split(read_buffer, "\n")
-        read_buffer = temp.pop()
+        try:        
+            read_buffer = read_buffer + actions.get()
+        except RuntimeError: # socket broke
+            time.sleep(60) # sleep for sixty seconds
+            return # then exit our loop and restart the bot
 
-        for line in temp:
+        lines = string.split(read_buffer, "\n")
+        read_buffer = lines.pop()
+
+        for line in lines:
             line = string.split(string.rstrip(line))
             data = Data()
 
diff --git a/irc/actions.py b/irc/actions.py
index 2b3bddf..4bbf1d6 100644
--- a/irc/actions.py
+++ b/irc/actions.py
@@ -2,11 +2,20 @@
 
 # Actions/commands to interface with IRC.
 
+import string
+
 class Actions:
     def __init__(self, sock):
         """actions/commands to interface with IRC"""
         self.sock = sock
 
+    def get(self, size = 4096):
+        """receive (get) data from the server"""
+        data = self.sock.recv(4096)
+        if not data:
+            raise RuntimeError("socket is dead")
+        return data
+
     def send(self, msg):
         """send data to the server"""
         self.sock.send(msg + "\r\n")