diff --git a/packages/template/src/lib/stack-app/apps/implementations/client-app-impl.ts b/packages/template/src/lib/stack-app/apps/implementations/client-app-impl.ts
index c7b1c6d75..d6c1c3563 100644
--- a/packages/template/src/lib/stack-app/apps/implementations/client-app-impl.ts
+++ b/packages/template/src/lib/stack-app/apps/implementations/client-app-impl.ts
@@ -1645,6 +1645,9 @@ export class _StackClientAppImplIncomplete<HasTokenStore extends boolean, Projec
         }),
       }, null);
 
+      if (!pollResponse.ok) {
+        return Result.error(new KnownErrors.CliAuthError(`Failed to initiate CLI auth: ${response.status} ${await response.text()}`));
+      }
       const pollResult = await pollResponse.json();
 
       if (pollResponse.status === 201 && pollResult.status === "success") {