--- a/eric6/eric6.py	Sun Nov 01 11:17:06 2020 +0100
+++ b/eric6/eric6.py	Sat Dec 05 12:29:26 2020 +0100
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@
         with open(logFile, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             f.write(msg)
             f.write(versionInfo)
-    except IOError:
+    except OSError:
         pass
     
     if inMainLoop is None:
@@ -369,13 +369,12 @@
             disabledPlugins.append(pluginName)
     for arg in sys.argv:
         if arg.startswith("--plugin=") and sys.argv.index(arg) < ddindex:
-            import Utilities
             # extract the plugin development option
             pluginFile = arg.replace("--plugin=", "").replace('"', "")
             sys.argv.remove(arg)
             ddindex -= 1
             pluginFile = os.path.expanduser(pluginFile)
-            pluginFile = Utilities.normabspath(pluginFile)
+            pluginFile = os.path.abspath(pluginFile)
             break
     
     # is there a set of filenames or options on the command line,