diff --git a/RELEASE_NOTES.md b/RELEASE_NOTES.md
index 06cdc07..a56aa8c 100644
--- a/RELEASE_NOTES.md
+++ b/RELEASE_NOTES.md
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 # STRATO Getting Started release notes
 
+## 2.10.1
+
+STRATO versions supported: v4.0+
+
+- Fail verbosely when no password can be read
+
 ## 2.10.0
 
 STRATO versions supported: v4.0+
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 10c2c0c..8bbb6e4 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-2.10.0
+2.10.1
diff --git a/strato b/strato
index d6fb2ab..588f3ba 100755
--- a/strato
+++ b/strato
@@ -153,7 +153,9 @@ function setPassword {
     while [ -z $PASSWORD ]; do
       echo
       echo -n Please enter a password:
-      read -s PASSWORDA
+      read -s PASSWORDA || (printf "\nerror: unable to read password, stdin might be closed\n" &&
+                            printf "Set the PASSWORD environment variable in automated environments\n" &&
+                            exit 18)
       echo
       echo -n Please re-enter the password:
       read -s PASSWORDB
@@ -165,7 +167,7 @@ function setPassword {
         echo -n Passwords did not match. Please try again.
       fi
     done
-    
+
     PASSWORD_SET_RESPONSE=$(docker exec -i strato_vault-wrapper_1 curl -s -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d @- localhost:8000/strato/v2.3/password <<< \"$PASSWORD\")
     case ${PASSWORD_SET_RESPONSE} in
       "\"Could not validate password\"" )