diff --git a/model_server/clients/imagej/adapter.py b/model_server/clients/imagej/adapter.py
index 10cd5e67ce30d4c9615006fdfa0ecd7481cb5b71..d30db3851eaec96780bf64270d34a2dc1d019019 100644
--- a/model_server/clients/imagej/adapter.py
+++ b/model_server/clients/imagej/adapter.py
@@ -39,16 +39,20 @@ def hit_endpoint(method, endpoint, params=None):
 
 
 def verify_server(popup=True):
-    resp = hit_endpoint('GET', '/')
-    if resp['status'] == 404:
+    try:
+        resp = hit_endpoint('GET', '/')
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(e)
         msg = 'Could not find server found at ' + uri
         IJ.log(msg)
         if popup:
             IJ.error(msg)
-    elif resp['status'] != 200:
+        return False
+    if resp['status'] != 200:
         msg = 'Unknown error verifying server at ' + uri
         if popup:
             IJ.error(msg)
+        return False
     else:
         IJ.log('Verified server is online at ' + uri)
         return True