diff --git a/src/kiri/main.js b/src/kiri/main.js
index 875eadcd..3ef0f679 100644
--- a/src/kiri/main.js
+++ b/src/kiri/main.js
@@ -20,8 +20,13 @@
         SETUP   = parseOpt(LOC.search.substring(1)),
         SECURE  = isSecure(LOC.protocol),
         LOCAL   = self.debug && !SETUP.remote,
-        SDB     = MOTO.KV,
-        ODB     = KIRI.odb = new MOTO.Storage(SETUP.d ? SETUP.d[0] : 'kiri'),
+        SDB     = MOTO.KV;
+
+    if (SDB.isLocal()) {
+        alert(SDB.getItem("__local__"));
+    }
+
+    let ODB     = KIRI.odb = new MOTO.Storage(SETUP.d ? SETUP.d[0] : 'kiri'),
         SPACE   = KIRI.space = MOTO.Space,
         WIDGETS = KIRI.widgets = [],
         CATALOG = KIRI.catalog = KIRI.openCatalog(ODB,autoDecimate),
diff --git a/src/moto/kv.js b/src/moto/kv.js
index 719d64c8..cfb3bd14 100644
--- a/src/moto/kv.js
+++ b/src/moto/kv.js
@@ -9,11 +9,12 @@
 
     try {
         self.moto.KV = self.localStorage;
-        self.moto.KV.setItem('__test',1);
+        self.moto.KV.setItem('__test', 1);
         self.moto.KV.getItem('__test');
     } catch (e) {
-        console.log("in private browsing mode or 3rd party storage blocked. some settings will be lost.");
         self.moto.KV = new KV();
+        kv.setItem("__local__", "in private browsing mode or 3rd party storage blocked. application may not function.");
+        console.log(kv.getItem("__local__"));
     }
 
     /**
@@ -51,4 +52,8 @@
         }
     };
 
+    KP.isLocal = function() {
+        return this.getItem("__local__");
+    };
+
 })();