diff --git a/src/app/utils/matrix.ts b/src/app/utils/matrix.ts
index 9df0aed79..6cc26ae02 100644
--- a/src/app/utils/matrix.ts
+++ b/src/app/utils/matrix.ts
@@ -299,6 +299,7 @@ export const mxcUrlToHttp = (
 export const downloadMedia = async (src: string): Promise<Blob> => {
   // this request is authenticated by service worker
   const res = await fetch(src, { method: 'GET' });
+  if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Media download failed: ${res.status} ${res.statusText}`);
   const blob = await res.blob();
   return blob;
 };