diff --git a/blueprints/projects.py b/blueprints/projects.py
index 7c792b4..a7ce9e3 100644
--- a/blueprints/projects.py
+++ b/blueprints/projects.py
@@ -31,12 +31,15 @@ class Blueprint(flask.Blueprint):
         self._apiKey = os.getenv('GITEA_TOKEN')
         self.giteaUID = None
 
-        r = requests.get(self.constructURL('/api/v1/user'), timeout=5)
+        try:
+            r = requests.get(self.constructURL('/api/v1/user'), timeout=5)
 
-        if r.ok:
-            self.giteaUID = r.json().get('id')
-        else:
-            log.error('Cannot get Gitea user ID. This blueprint will not work.')
+            if r.ok:
+                self.giteaUID = r.json().get('id')
+            else:
+                log.error('Cannot get Gitea user ID. This blueprint will not work.')
+        except requests.exceptions.ConnectionError:
+            log.error('Failed to connect to Gitea server. This blueprint will not work.')
 
         super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)