diff --git a/mmgen/main_addrgen.py b/mmgen/main_addrgen.py
index 42a04372..f89125ab 100755
--- a/mmgen/main_addrgen.py
+++ b/mmgen/main_addrgen.py
@@ -41,8 +41,7 @@ note_secp256k1 = """
 If available, the secp256k1 library will be used for address generation.
 """.strip()
 
-
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 	'sets': [('print_checksum',True,'quiet',True)],
 	'desc': """Generate a range or list of {desc} from an {pnm} wallet,
                   mnemonic, seed or brainwallet""".format(desc=gen_desc,pnm=g.proj_name),
diff --git a/mmgen/main_addrimport.py b/mmgen/main_addrimport.py
index f7909b84..e5e90ca3 100755
--- a/mmgen/main_addrimport.py
+++ b/mmgen/main_addrimport.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ from mmgen.obj import TwLabel
 # In batch mode, bitcoind just rescans each address separately anyway, so make
 # --batch and --rescan incompatible.
 
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 	'desc': """Import addresses (both {pnm} and non-{pnm}) into an {pnm}
                      tracking wallet""".format(pnm=g.proj_name),
 	'usage':'[opts] [mmgen address file]',
diff --git a/mmgen/main_passgen.py b/mmgen/main_passgen.py
index 1776ff5b..c0e6a8bd 100755
--- a/mmgen/main_passgen.py
+++ b/mmgen/main_passgen.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ dfl_len = {
 	'b32': PasswordList.pw_info['b32']['dfl_len']
 }
 
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 	'sets': [('print_checksum',True,'quiet',True)],
 	'desc': """Generate a range or list of passwords from an {pnm} wallet,
                   mnemonic, seed or brainwallet for the given ID string""".format(pnm=g.proj_name),
diff --git a/mmgen/main_tool.py b/mmgen/main_tool.py
index c8f908fd..8f847c8b 100755
--- a/mmgen/main_tool.py
+++ b/mmgen/main_tool.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ mmgen-tool:  Perform various MMGen- and Bitcoin-related operations.
 from mmgen.common import *
 import mmgen.tool as tool
 
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 	'desc':    'Perform various {pnm}- and Bitcoin-related operations'.format(pnm=g.proj_name),
 	'usage':   '[opts] <command> <command args>',
 	'options': """
diff --git a/mmgen/main_txbump.py b/mmgen/main_txbump.py
index 7e69a071..6517b1b7 100755
--- a/mmgen/main_txbump.py
+++ b/mmgen/main_txbump.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ mmgen-txbump: Increase the fee on a replaceable (replace-by-fee) MMGen
 from mmgen.txcreate import *
 from mmgen.txsign import *
 
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 	'desc': 'Increase the fee on a replaceable (RBF) {g.proj_name} transaction, creating a new transaction, and optionally sign and send the new transaction'.format(g=g),
 	'usage':   '[opts] <{g.proj_name} TX file> [seed source] ...'.format(g=g),
 	'sets': ( ('yes', True, 'quiet', True), ),
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ opts_data = {
 		kg=g.key_generator,
 		cu=g.coin
 		),
-	'notes': '\n' + fee_notes + txsign_notes
+	'notes': '\n' + fee_notes.format(g.coin) + txsign_notes
 }
 
 cmd_args = opts.init(opts_data)
diff --git a/mmgen/main_txcreate.py b/mmgen/main_txcreate.py
index 46b136e9..b7530a4e 100755
--- a/mmgen/main_txcreate.py
+++ b/mmgen/main_txcreate.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ mmgen-txcreate: Create a Bitcoin transaction to and from MMGen- or non-MMGen
 
 from mmgen.txcreate import *
 
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 	'desc': 'Create a transaction with outputs to specified Bitcoin or {g.proj_name} addresses'.format(g=g),
 	'usage':   '[opts]  <addr,amt> ... [change addr] [addr file] ...',
 	'sets': ( ('yes', True, 'quiet', True), ),
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ opts_data = {
 -v, --verbose        Produce more verbose output
 -y, --yes            Answer 'yes' to prompts, suppress non-essential output
 """.format(g=g,cu=g.coin),
-	'notes': '\n' + txcreate_notes + fee_notes
+	'notes': '\n' + txcreate_notes + fee_notes.format(g.coin)
 }
 
 cmd_args = opts.init(opts_data)
diff --git a/mmgen/main_txdo.py b/mmgen/main_txdo.py
index 5bce88e9..81c994a1 100755
--- a/mmgen/main_txdo.py
+++ b/mmgen/main_txdo.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ mmgen-txdo: Create, sign and broadcast an online MMGen transaction
 from mmgen.txcreate import *
 from mmgen.txsign import *
 
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 	'desc': 'Create, sign and send an {g.proj_name} transaction'.format(g=g),
 	'usage':   '[opts]  <addr,amt> ... [change addr] [addr file] ... [seed source] ...',
 	'sets': ( ('yes', True, 'quiet', True), ),
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ opts_data = {
 		kg=g.key_generator,
 		cu=g.coin
 		),
-	'notes': '\n' + txcreate_notes + fee_notes + txsign_notes
+	'notes': '\n' + txcreate_notes + fee_notes.format(g.coin) + txsign_notes
 }
 
 cmd_args = opts.init(opts_data)
diff --git a/mmgen/main_txsend.py b/mmgen/main_txsend.py
index e36b06e3..b1ee2d6a 100755
--- a/mmgen/main_txsend.py
+++ b/mmgen/main_txsend.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ mmgen-txsend: Broadcast a transaction signed by 'mmgen-txsign' to the network
 from mmgen.common import *
 from mmgen.tx import *
 
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 	'desc':    'Send a Bitcoin transaction signed by {pnm}-txsign'.format(
 					pnm=g.proj_name.lower()),
 	'usage':   '[opts] <signed transaction file>',
diff --git a/mmgen/main_txsign.py b/mmgen/main_txsign.py
index e3c3a6b0..ad2aad37 100755
--- a/mmgen/main_txsign.py
+++ b/mmgen/main_txsign.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ mmgen-txsign: Sign a transaction generated by 'mmgen-txcreate'
 from mmgen.txsign import *
 
 # -w, --use-wallet-dat (keys from running bitcoind) removed: use bitcoin-cli walletdump instead
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 	'desc':    'Sign Bitcoin transactions generated by {pnl}-txcreate'.format(pnl=pnm.lower()),
 	'usage':   '[opts] <transaction file>... [seed source]...',
 	'sets': ( ('yes', True, 'quiet', True), ),
diff --git a/mmgen/main_wallet.py b/mmgen/main_wallet.py
index 8970e81b..2731ca90 100755
--- a/mmgen/main_wallet.py
+++ b/mmgen/main_wallet.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ elif invoked_as == 'passchg':
 else:
 	die(1,"'%s': unrecognized invocation" % g.prog_name)
 
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 # Can't use: share/Opts doesn't know anything about fmt codes
 #	'sets': [('hidden_incog_output_params',bool,'out_fmt','hi')],
 	'desc': desc.format(pnm=g.proj_name),
diff --git a/mmgen/opts.py b/mmgen/opts.py
index 24e5348e..aca8fd74 100755
--- a/mmgen/opts.py
+++ b/mmgen/opts.py
@@ -166,7 +166,10 @@ def override_from_env():
 			gname = name[idx:].lower()
 			setattr(g,gname,set_for_type(val,getattr(g,gname),name,invert_bool))
 
-def init(opts_data,add_opts=[],opt_filter=None):
+def init(opts_f,add_opts=[],opt_filter=None):
+
+	opts_data = opts_f()
+	opts_data['long_options'] = common_opts_data
 
 	version_info = """
     {pgnm_uc} version {g.version}
@@ -174,10 +177,8 @@ def init(opts_data,add_opts=[],opt_filter=None):
     Copyright (C) {g.Cdates} {g.author} {g.email}
 	""".format(pnm=g.proj_name, g=g, pgnm_uc=g.prog_name.upper()).strip()
 
-	opts_data['long_options'] = common_opts_data
-
-	uopts,args,short_opts,long_opts,skipped_opts = \
-		mmgen.share.Opts.parse_opts(sys.argv,opts_data,opt_filter=opt_filter)
+	uopts,args,short_opts,long_opts,skipped_opts,do_help = \
+		mmgen.share.Opts.parse_opts(sys.argv,opts_data,opt_filter=opt_filter,defer_help=True)
 
 	if g.debug: opt_preproc_debug(short_opts,long_opts,skipped_opts,uopts,args)
 
@@ -185,11 +186,6 @@ def init(opts_data,add_opts=[],opt_filter=None):
 	global usage_txt
 	usage_txt = opts_data['usage']
 
-	# We don't need this data anymore
-	del mmgen.share.Opts
-	for k in ('prog_name','desc','usage','options','notes'):
-		if k in opts_data: del opts_data[k]
-
 	# Transfer uopts into opt, setting program's opts + required opts to None if not set by user
 	for o in tuple([s.rstrip('=') for s in long_opts] + add_opts + skipped_opts) + \
 				g.required_opts + g.common_opts:
@@ -243,6 +239,17 @@ def init(opts_data,add_opts=[],opt_filter=None):
 
 	opt_postproc_initializations()
 
+	if do_help: # print help screen only after global vars are initialized
+		opts_data = opts_f()
+		opts_data['long_options'] = common_opts_data
+		mmgen.share.Opts.parse_opts(sys.argv,opts_data,opt_filter=opt_filter)
+
+	# We don't need this data anymore
+	del mmgen.share.Opts
+	del opts_f
+	for k in ('prog_name','desc','usage','options','notes'):
+		if k in opts_data: del opts_data[k]
+
 	if g.debug: opt_postproc_debug()
 
 	return args
diff --git a/mmgen/rpc.py b/mmgen/rpc.py
index c30e4a5d..6080f064 100755
--- a/mmgen/rpc.py
+++ b/mmgen/rpc.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class BitcoinRPCConnection(object):
 			if cf['on_fail'] in ('return','silent'):
 				return 'rpcfail',args
 			else:
-				die(*args[1:])
+				die(args[1],yellow(args[2]))
 
 		dmsg('=== request() debug ===')
 		dmsg('    RPC POST data ==> %s\n' % p)
@@ -86,10 +86,10 @@ class BitcoinRPCConnection(object):
 					return (float,str)[g.bitcoind_version>=120000](obj)
 				return json.JSONEncoder.default(self, obj)
 
-# Can't do UTF-8 labels yet: httplib only ascii?
-# 		if type(p) != list and p['method'] == 'importaddress':
-# 			dump = json.dumps(p,cls=MyJSONEncoder,ensure_ascii=False)
-# 			print(dump)
+		# TODO: UTF-8 labels
+		# if type(p) != list and p['method'] == 'importaddress':
+		# 	dump = json.dumps(p,cls=MyJSONEncoder,ensure_ascii=False)
+		# 	print(dump)
 
 		dmsg('    RPC AUTHORIZATION data ==> [Basic {}]\n'.format(base64.b64encode(self.auth_str)))
 		try:
@@ -98,9 +98,14 @@ class BitcoinRPCConnection(object):
 				'Authorization': 'Basic {}'.format(base64.b64encode(self.auth_str))
 			})
 		except Exception as e:
-			return die_maybe(None,2,'{}\nUnable to connect to bitcoind at {}:{}'.format(e,self.host,self.port))
+			m = '{}\nUnable to connect to bitcoind at {}:{}'
+			return die_maybe(None,2,m.format(e,self.host,self.port))
 
-		r = hc.getresponse() # returns HTTPResponse instance
+		try:
+			r = hc.getresponse() # returns HTTPResponse instance
+		except Exception:
+			m = 'Unable to connect to bitcoind at {}:{} (but port is bound?)'
+			return die_maybe(None,2,m.format(self.host,self.port))
 
 		dmsg('    RPC GETRESPONSE data ==> %s\n' % r.__dict__)
 
diff --git a/mmgen/share/Opts.py b/mmgen/share/Opts.py
index 431d5772..ff9245a2 100755
--- a/mmgen/share/Opts.py
+++ b/mmgen/share/Opts.py
@@ -27,19 +27,22 @@ def usage(opts_data):
 	print 'USAGE: %s %s' % (opts_data['prog_name'], opts_data['usage'])
 	sys.exit(2)
 
-def print_help(opts_data,longhelp=False):
+def print_help_and_exit(opts_data,longhelp=False):
 	pn = opts_data['prog_name']
 	pn_len = str(len(pn)+2)
-	print ('  %-'+pn_len+'s %s') % (pn.upper()+':', opts_data['desc'].strip())
-	print ('  %-'+pn_len+'s %s %s')%('USAGE:', pn, opts_data['usage'].strip())
+	out  = '  {:<{p}} {}\n'.format(pn.upper()+':',opts_data['desc'].strip(),p=pn_len)
+	out += '  {:<{p}} {} {}\n'.format('USAGE:',pn,opts_data['usage'].strip(),p=pn_len)
 	od_opts = opts_data[('options','long_options')[longhelp]].strip().splitlines()
-	sep,m,ls = (('\n    ','  OPTIONS:',''),('\n','  LONG OPTIONS:','    '))[longhelp]
-	print m + sep + ls + sep.join(od_opts)
+	hdr = ('OPTIONS:','  LONG OPTIONS:')[longhelp]
+	ls = ('  ','')[longhelp]
+	es = ('','    ')[longhelp]
+	out += '{ls}{}\n{ls}{es}{}\n'.format(hdr,('\n'+ls).join(od_opts),ls=ls,es=es)
 	if 'notes' in opts_data and not longhelp:
-		print '  ' + '\n  '.join(opts_data['notes'][1:-1].splitlines())
+		out += '  ' + '\n  '.join(opts_data['notes'][1:-1].splitlines())
+	print(out)
+	sys.exit(0)
 
-
-def process_opts(argv,opts_data,short_opts,long_opts):
+def process_opts(argv,opts_data,short_opts,long_opts,defer_help=False):
 
 	import os
 	opts_data['prog_name'] = os.path.basename(sys.argv[0])
@@ -51,11 +54,15 @@ def process_opts(argv,opts_data,short_opts,long_opts):
 		print str(err); sys.exit(2)
 
 	sopts_list = ':_'.join(['_'.join(list(i)) for i in short_opts.split(':')]).split('_')
-	opts = {}
+	opts,do_help = {},False
 
-	for opt, arg in cl_opts:
-		if   opt in ('-h','--help'): print_help(opts_data); sys.exit(0)
-		elif opt == '--longhelp':    print_help(opts_data,longhelp=True); sys.exit(0)
+	for opt,arg in cl_opts:
+		if opt in ('-h','--help'):
+			if not defer_help: print_help_and_exit(opts_data)
+			do_help = True
+		elif opt == '--longhelp':
+			if not defer_help: print_help_and_exit(opts_data,longhelp=True)
+			do_help = True
 		elif opt[:2] == '--' and opt[2:] in long_opts:
 			opts[opt[2:].replace('-','_')] = True
 		elif opt[:2] == '--' and opt[2:]+'=' in long_opts:
@@ -82,10 +89,10 @@ def process_opts(argv,opts_data,short_opts,long_opts):
 					else:
 						opts[o_out] = v_out
 
-	return opts,args
+	return opts,args,do_help
 
 
-def parse_opts(argv,opts_data,opt_filter=None):
+def parse_opts(argv,opts_data,opt_filter=None,defer_help=False):
 
 	import re
 	pat = r'^-([a-zA-Z0-9-]), --([a-zA-Z0-9-]{2,64})(=| )(.+)'
@@ -111,6 +118,7 @@ def parse_opts(argv,opts_data,opt_filter=None):
 	long_opts     = [d[1].replace('-','_')+d[5] for d in od_all if d[6] == False]
 	skipped_opts  = [d[1].replace('-','_') for d in od_all if d[6] == True]
 
-	opts,args = process_opts(argv,opts_data,short_opts,long_opts)
+	opts,args,do_help = process_opts(argv,opts_data,short_opts,long_opts,defer_help=defer_help)
 
-	return opts,args,short_opts,long_opts,skipped_opts
+	ret = opts,args,short_opts,long_opts,skipped_opts
+	return ret + (do_help,) if defer_help else ret
diff --git a/mmgen/txcreate.py b/mmgen/txcreate.py
index ec924472..efecd39b 100755
--- a/mmgen/txcreate.py
+++ b/mmgen/txcreate.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ FEE SPECIFICATION: Transaction fees, both on the command line and at the
 interactive prompt, may be specified as either absolute {} amounts, using
 a plain decimal number, or as satoshis per byte, using an integer followed by
 the letter 's'.
-""".format(g.coin)
+""" # formatted later, after g.coin is initialized
 
 wmsg = {
 	'addr_in_addrfile_only': """
diff --git a/test/gentest.py b/test/gentest.py
index 95b7fd97..5334f36c 100755
--- a/test/gentest.py
+++ b/test/gentest.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ from mmgen.common import *
 from mmgen.bitcoin import hex2wif
 
 rounds = 100
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 	'desc': "Test address generation in various ways",
 	'usage':'[options] [spec] [rounds | dump file]',
 	'options': """
diff --git a/test/mmgen_pexpect.py b/test/mmgen_pexpect.py
index fc7fa74d..980a1450 100755
--- a/test/mmgen_pexpect.py
+++ b/test/mmgen_pexpect.py
@@ -88,10 +88,9 @@ class MMGenPexpect(object):
 		NL = '\n'
 
 	data_dir = os.path.join('test','data_dir')
-	add_spawn_args = ' '.join(['{} {}'.format(
-		'--'+k.replace('_','-'),
+	add_spawn_args = ' '.join(['{} {}'.format('--'+k.replace('_','-'),
 		getattr(opt,k) if getattr(opt,k) != True else ''
-		) for k in ('testnet','rpc_host','rpc_port','regtest') if getattr(opt,k)]).split()
+		) for k in ('testnet','rpc_host','rpc_port','regtest','coin') if getattr(opt,k)]).split()
 	add_spawn_args += ['--data-dir',data_dir]
 
 	def __init__(self,name,mmgen_cmd,cmd_args,desc,no_output=False):
diff --git a/test/test.py b/test/test.py
index 6444523b..8dbf7d5e 100755
--- a/test/test.py
+++ b/test/test.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ if not any(e in ('--skip-deps','--resume','-S','-r') for e in sys.argv+shortopts
 		except: pass
 		os.symlink(dd,data_dir)
 
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 	'desc': 'Test suite for the MMGen suite',
 	'usage':'[options] [command(s) or metacommand(s)]',
 	'options': """
@@ -1035,7 +1035,7 @@ class MMGenTestSuite(object):
 
 	def helpscreens(self,name,arg='--help'):
 		scripts = (
-			'walletgen','walletconv','walletchk','txcreate','txsend','txsign',
+			'walletgen','walletconv','walletchk','txcreate','txsign','txsend','txdo','txbump',
 			'addrgen','addrimport','keygen','passchg','tool','passgen')
 		for s in scripts:
 			t = MMGenExpect(name,('mmgen-'+s),[arg],extra_desc='(mmgen-%s)'%s,no_output=True)
diff --git a/test/tooltest.py b/test/tooltest.py
index 76a1bbc5..e111dd6a 100755
--- a/test/tooltest.py
+++ b/test/tooltest.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ cfg = {
 	'addrfile_chk':  '6FEF 6FB9 7B13 5D91',
 }
 
-opts_data = {
+def opts_data(): return {
 	'desc': "Test suite for the 'mmgen-tool' utility",
 	'usage':'[options] [command]',
 	'options': """