diff --git a/oml/item/api.py b/oml/item/api.py
index bc45b29..66ad801 100644
--- a/oml/item/api.py
+++ b/oml/item/api.py
@@ -9,13 +9,13 @@ from sqlalchemy.sql.expression import text
 from sqlalchemy import func
 
 from oxtornado import actions
+import utils #utils must be imported before websocket to avoid loop
 from websocket import trigger_event
 import meta
 from . import models
 from . import query
 import settings
 import state
-import utils
 
 from . import person_api
 from . import title_api
diff --git a/oml/item/query.py b/oml/item/query.py
index 195563e..a6a7049 100644
--- a/oml/item/query.py
+++ b/oml/item/query.py
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ from . import models
 import settings
 import utils
 
+import logging
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
 def parse(data):
     query = {}
     query['range'] = [0, 100]
@@ -18,6 +21,9 @@ def parse(data):
     for key in ('keys', 'group', 'list', 'range', 'sort', 'query'):
         if key in data:
             query[key] = data[key]
+    if [r for r in query['range'] if not isinstance(r, int)]:
+        logger.error('range must be 2 integers! got this: %s', query['range'])
+        query['range'] = [0, 0]
     #print data
     query['qs'] = models.Item.find(data)
     if not 'group' in query: