diff --git a/presubmit_canned_checks.py b/presubmit_canned_checks.py
index 41fc6d192..7cb8c5f35 100644
--- a/presubmit_canned_checks.py
+++ b/presubmit_canned_checks.py
@@ -458,8 +458,9 @@ def CheckTreeIsOpen(input_api, output_api,
         long_text = status + '\n' + url
         return [output_api.PresubmitError('The tree is closed.',
                                           long_text=long_text)]
-  except IOError:
-    pass
+  except IOError as e:
+    return [output_api.PresubmitError('Error fetching tree status.',
+                                      long_text=str(e))]
   return []