diff --git a/rl_coach/coach.py b/rl_coach/coach.py
index aa18a14..1e6bfba 100644
--- a/rl_coach/coach.py
+++ b/rl_coach/coach.py
@@ -92,6 +92,39 @@ def get_graph_manager_from_args(args: argparse.Namespace) -> 'GraphManager':
     return graph_manager
 
 
+def display_all_presets_and_exit():
+    # list available presets
+    if args.list:
+        screen.log_title("Available Presets:")
+        for preset in sorted(list_all_presets()):
+            print(preset)
+        sys.exit(0)
+
+def expand_preset(preset):
+    if preset.lower() in [p.lower() for p in list_all_presets()]:
+        preset = "{}.py:graph_manager".format(os.path.join(get_base_dir(), 'presets', preset))
+    else:
+        preset = "{}".format(preset)
+        # if a graph manager variable was not specified, try the default of :graph_manager
+        if len(preset.split(":")) == 1:
+            preset += ":graph_manager"
+
+    # verify that the preset exists
+    preset_path = preset.split(":")[0]
+    if not os.path.exists(preset_path):
+        screen.error("The given preset ({}) cannot be found.".format(preset))
+
+    # verify that the preset can be instantiated
+    try:
+        short_dynamic_import(preset, ignore_module_case=True)
+    except TypeError as e:
+        traceback.print_exc()
+        screen.error('Internal Error: ' + str(e) + "\n\nThe given preset ({}) cannot be instantiated."
+                     .format(preset))
+
+    return preset
+
+
 def parse_arguments(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> argparse.Namespace:
     """
     Parse the arguments that the user entered
@@ -103,38 +136,15 @@ def parse_arguments(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> argparse.Namespace:
     # if no arg is given
     if len(sys.argv) == 1:
         parser.print_help()
-        exit(0)
+        sys.exit(0)
 
     # list available presets
-    preset_names = list_all_presets()
     if args.list:
-        screen.log_title("Available Presets:")
-        for preset in sorted(preset_names):
-            print(preset)
-        sys.exit(0)
+        display_all_presets_and_exit()
 
     # replace a short preset name with the full path
     if args.preset is not None:
-        if args.preset.lower() in [p.lower() for p in preset_names]:
-            args.preset = "{}.py:graph_manager".format(os.path.join(get_base_dir(), 'presets', args.preset))
-        else:
-            args.preset = "{}".format(args.preset)
-            # if a graph manager variable was not specified, try the default of :graph_manager
-            if len(args.preset.split(":")) == 1:
-                args.preset += ":graph_manager"
-
-        # verify that the preset exists
-        preset_path = args.preset.split(":")[0]
-        if not os.path.exists(preset_path):
-            screen.error("The given preset ({}) cannot be found.".format(args.preset))
-
-        # verify that the preset can be instantiated
-        try:
-            short_dynamic_import(args.preset, ignore_module_case=True)
-        except TypeError as e:
-            traceback.print_exc()
-            screen.error('Internal Error: ' + str(e) + "\n\nThe given preset ({}) cannot be instantiated."
-                         .format(args.preset))
+        args.preset = expand_preset(args.preset)
 
     # validate the checkpoints args
     if args.checkpoint_restore_dir is not None and not os.path.exists(args.checkpoint_restore_dir):
@@ -179,6 +189,9 @@ def add_items_to_dict(target_dict, source_dict):
 
 
 def open_dashboard(experiment_path):
+    """
+    open X11 based dashboard in a new process (nonblocking)
+    """
     dashboard_path = 'python {}/dashboard.py'.format(get_base_dir())
     cmd = "{} --experiment_dir {}".format(dashboard_path, experiment_path)
     screen.log_title("Opening dashboard - experiment path: {}".format(experiment_path))