diff --git a/create_deck.py b/create_deck.py
index 3c9e5d4..42e9522 100644
--- a/create_deck.py
+++ b/create_deck.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
             decks = []
 
             if len(data) == 0:
-                sys.exit(1)
+                raise ValueError("No cards were generated. The page may be empty or contain no supported toggle lists.")
 
             # Model / Template stuff
             mt = data[0].get("settings", {})
diff --git a/helpers/cards.py b/helpers/cards.py
index 248ee3e..58300c0 100644
--- a/helpers/cards.py
+++ b/helpers/cards.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """
 Helper functions for working with the flashcards
 """
+import sys
 import ftfy
 
 
@@ -14,12 +15,12 @@ def get_safe_value(value):
         try:
             value = value.decode('utf-8') # Decode bytes to string, handling potential errors
         except UnicodeDecodeError:
-            print("Warning: Could not decode bytes using utf-8. Returning empty string.")
+            print("Warning: Could not decode bytes using utf-8. Returning empty string.", file=sys.stderr)
             return ""
     elif value is None:
         return ""
     elif not isinstance(value, str):
-        print(f"Warning: get_safe_value received unexpected input type: {type(value)}. Returning empty string.")
+        print(f"Warning: get_safe_value received unexpected input type: {type(value)}. Returning empty string.", file=sys.stderr)
         return ""
 
     return ftfy.fixes.fix_surrogates(value)
diff --git a/helpers/write_apkg.py b/helpers/write_apkg.py
index 8c9fb3a..e85dc1d 100644
--- a/helpers/write_apkg.py
+++ b/helpers/write_apkg.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ def write_package_to_temp_file(package):
     try:
         package.write_to_file(temp_path)
     except Exception as e:
-        print(f"Error writing to temporary file: {e}")
+        print(f"Error writing to temporary file: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
         raise
 
     return temp_path
@@ -146,7 +146,11 @@ def _write_new_apkg(deck_payloads, media_files):
     """
     decks, first_deck_id = create_decks(deck_payloads)
     package = Package(decks)
-    package.media_files = media_files
+    existing_media = [f for f in media_files if os.path.exists(f)]
+    if len(existing_media) < len(media_files):
+        missing = set(media_files) - set(existing_media)
+        print(f"Skipping {len(missing)} missing media file(s): {missing}", file=sys.stderr)
+    package.media_files = existing_media
 
     sanitized_name = sanitize_filename(deck_payloads[0]["name"]) if deck_payloads else "default"
     temp_path = write_package_to_temp_file(package)
diff --git a/tests/test_write_apkg.py b/tests/test_write_apkg.py
index c7915f7..c8d3074 100644
--- a/tests/test_write_apkg.py
+++ b/tests/test_write_apkg.py
@@ -96,12 +96,17 @@ def test_write_new_apkg_with_media(self, mock_replace, mock_package):
             "desc": "Test Description",
             "notes": [note]
         }
-        media_files = ['test.jpg', 'audio.mp3']
-        
+
         with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmpdir:
+            img_path = os.path.join(tmpdir, 'test.jpg')
+            audio_path = os.path.join(tmpdir, 'audio.mp3')
+            open(img_path, 'w').close()
+            open(audio_path, 'w').close()
+            media_files = [img_path, audio_path]
+
             with mock.patch('os.getcwd', return_value=tmpdir):
                 _write_new_apkg([deck_payload], media_files)
-                
+
                 mock_package.assert_called_once()
                 package_instance = mock_package.return_value
                 self.assertEqual(package_instance.media_files, media_files)
@@ -110,6 +115,28 @@ def test_write_new_apkg_with_media(self, mock_replace, mock_package):
                 mock_package.return_value.write_to_file.assert_called_once()
                 mock_replace.assert_called_once()
 
+    @mock.patch('helpers.write_apkg.Package')
+    @mock.patch('helpers.write_apkg.os.replace')
+    def test_write_new_apkg_skips_missing_media(self, mock_replace, mock_package):
+        note = Note(model=self.test_model, fields=['Q1', 'A1'])
+        deck_payload = {
+            "id": 1234567890,
+            "name": "Test Deck",
+            "desc": "Test Description",
+            "notes": [note]
+        }
+
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmpdir:
+            existing_path = os.path.join(tmpdir, 'exists.jpg')
+            open(existing_path, 'w').close()
+            media_files = [existing_path, 'image.png']
+
+            with mock.patch('os.getcwd', return_value=tmpdir):
+                _write_new_apkg([deck_payload], media_files)
+
+                package_instance = mock_package.return_value
+                self.assertEqual(package_instance.media_files, [existing_path])
+
     @mock.patch('helpers.write_apkg.Package')
     @mock.patch('helpers.write_apkg.os.replace')
     def test_write_new_apkg_empty_deck_list(self, mock_replace, mock_package):