new_ct->attr.attr.mode = 0644;
        new_ct->attr.show = wf_show_control;
        new_ct->attr.store = wf_store_control;
-       device_create_file(&wf_platform_device.dev, &new_ct->attr);
+       if (device_create_file(&wf_platform_device.dev, &new_ct->attr))
+               printk(KERN_WARNING "windfarm: device_create_file failed"
+                       " for %s\n", new_ct->name);
+               /* the subsystem still does useful work without the file */
 
        DBG("wf: Registered control %s\n", new_ct->name);
 
        new_sr->attr.attr.mode = 0444;
        new_sr->attr.show = wf_show_sensor;
        new_sr->attr.store = NULL;
-       device_create_file(&wf_platform_device.dev, &new_sr->attr);
+       if (device_create_file(&wf_platform_device.dev, &new_sr->attr))
+               printk(KERN_WARNING "windfarm: device_create_file failed"
+                       " for %s\n", new_sr->name);
+               /* the subsystem still does useful work without the file */
 
        DBG("wf: Registered sensor %s\n", new_sr->name);