diff --git a/aaq/utils.py b/aaq/utils.py
index 7a0b9cbe..02cbbd75 100644
--- a/aaq/utils.py
+++ b/aaq/utils.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ def check_urgency_v2(message_text):
     }
 
     response = requests.request("POST", url, json=message_text, headers=headers)
+    response.raise_for_status()
 
     return response.json()
 
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ def search(query_text, generate_llm_response, query_metadata):
     }
 
     response = requests.request("POST", url, json=payload, headers=headers)
+    response.raise_for_status()
 
     query_id = response.json()["query_id"]
     feedback_secret_key = response.json()["feedback_secret_key"]