diff --git a/gui/MainWindow.cpp b/gui/MainWindow.cpp
index 0231dd442..b28d2d9b0 100644
--- a/gui/MainWindow.cpp
+++ b/gui/MainWindow.cpp
@@ -1075,12 +1075,13 @@ void MainWindow::on_actionAddInstance_triggered()
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			const QString path = modpackUrl.host() + '/' + QString::fromUtf8(modpackUrl.toEncoded());
+			const QString path = modpackUrl.host() + '/' + modpackUrl.path();
 			auto entry = MMC->metacache()->resolveEntry("general", path);
 			CacheDownloadPtr dl = CacheDownload::make(modpackUrl, entry);
 			NetJob job(tr("Modpack download"));
 			job.addNetAction(dl);
 
+			// FIXME: possibly causes endless loop problems
 			ProgressDialog dlDialog(this);
 			if (dlDialog.exec(&job) != QDialog::Accepted)
 			{
diff --git a/logic/net/NetJob.cpp b/logic/net/NetJob.cpp
index 6d10db48e..858925815 100644
--- a/logic/net/NetJob.cpp
+++ b/logic/net/NetJob.cpp
@@ -73,7 +73,8 @@ void NetJob::start()
 	{
 		m_todo.enqueue(i);
 	}
-	startMoreParts();
+	// hack that delays early failures so they can be caught easier
+	QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, "startMoreParts", Qt::QueuedConnection);
 }
 
 void NetJob::startMoreParts()
diff --git a/logic/net/NetJob.h b/logic/net/NetJob.h
index 30ae609a2..0d8b7fbdf 100644
--- a/logic/net/NetJob.h
+++ b/logic/net/NetJob.h
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ public:
 	}
 	QStringList getFailedFiles();
 
-private:
+private slots:
 	void startMoreParts();
 
 signals: