diff --git a/valohai_cli/api.py b/valohai_cli/api.py
index 3c006b94..f146714d 100644
--- a/valohai_cli/api.py
+++ b/valohai_cli/api.py
@@ -8,7 +8,12 @@
 from requests.models import PreparedRequest, Request, Response
 
 from valohai_cli import __version__ as VERSION
-from valohai_cli.exceptions import APIError, APINotFoundError, CLIException, NotLoggedIn
+from valohai_cli.exceptions import (
+    APIConnectionError,
+    APIError,
+    APINotFoundError,
+    NotLoggedIn,
+)
 from valohai_cli.settings import settings
 from valohai_cli.utils import force_text
 
@@ -72,12 +77,11 @@ def request(self, method: str, url: str, **kwargs: Any) -> Response:  # type: ig
         try:
             resp = super().request(method, url, **kwargs)
         except requests.ConnectionError as ce:
-            host = urlparse(ce.request.url).netloc if ce.request else self.base_netloc
             if 'Connection refused' in str(ce):
-                raise CLIException(
-                    f'Unable to connect to {host!r} (connection refused); try again soon.'
-                ) from ce
-            raise
+                host = urlparse(ce.request.url).netloc if ce.request else self.base_netloc
+                msg = f'Unable to connect to {host!r} (connection refused); try again soon.'
+                raise APIConnectionError(msg) from ce
+            raise APIConnectionError(str(ce)) from ce
 
         if handle_errors and resp.status_code >= 400:
             cls = (APINotFoundError if resp.status_code == 404 else api_error_class)
diff --git a/valohai_cli/exceptions.py b/valohai_cli/exceptions.py
index 7f0b3b7f..715c086c 100644
--- a/valohai_cli/exceptions.py
+++ b/valohai_cli/exceptions.py
@@ -108,6 +108,10 @@ class PackageTooLarge(CLIException):
     pass
 
 
+class APIConnectionError(CLIException):
+    pass
+
+
 class NoGitRepo(CLIException):
     color = 'yellow'