diff --git a/src/centpkg/lookaside.py b/src/centpkg/lookaside.py
index 2214d57..fde0922 100644
--- a/src/centpkg/lookaside.py
+++ b/src/centpkg/lookaside.py
@@ -97,8 +97,16 @@ class StreamLookasideCache(CGILookasideCache):
         """
         _name = utils.get_repo_name(name) if is_dist_git(os.getcwd()) else name
 
-        return super(StreamLookasideCache, self).remote_file_exists(
+        try:
+            status = super(StreamLookasideCache, self).remote_file_exists(
                 _name, filename, hashstr)
+        except UploadError as e:
+            self.log.info('Error checking for %s at %s'
+                          % (filename, self.upload_url))
+            self.log.info(e)
+            raise SystemExit
+
+        return status
 
     def upload(self, name, filename, hashstr, offline=False):
         """