diff --git a/common/db.py b/common/db.py
index e9dc7dd..9ffce83 100644
--- a/common/db.py
+++ b/common/db.py
@@ -96,6 +96,9 @@ class Db:
             'grant_type': 'refresh_token',
             'refresh_token': refresh_token,
             })
+        if res.status_code != 200:
+            return None
+
         print(res.status_code)
         print(res.content)
         res = res.json()
diff --git a/web/src/app.py b/web/src/app.py
index dcb5079..db7e698 100644
--- a/web/src/app.py
+++ b/web/src/app.py
@@ -93,11 +93,15 @@ def index():
             'description': f"{count}{counttype}"
     })
 
-
     resp = create_rq.json()
 
     if create_rq.status_code != 201:
-        return resp
+        return render_template("index_authorised.html", message={
+            'type': 'error',
+            'text': f"unexpected error when creating playlist {playlist_name}"
+        })
+
+
     playlist_id = resp.get('id')
     db.user_add_playlist(user_id, playlist_id, count, counttype)
 
@@ -135,13 +139,10 @@ def cb():
 
     token_rq = rq.post(f"{SPOTIFY_TOKEN_ENDPOINT}", data = data, headers = headers)
     if token_rq.status_code != rq.codes.ok:
-        resp = make_response(json.dumps({
-            'status_code': token_rq.status_code,
-            'resp:': token_rq.json(),
-            'data': data
-        }))
-        resp.headers.set('Content-Type', 'application/json')
-        return resp
+        return render_template("index_authorised.html", message={
+            'type': 'error',
+            'text': f"unable to authenticate with spotify. please try again later."
+        })
 
     resp = token_rq.json()
     spotify_token = resp['access_token']
@@ -149,9 +150,12 @@ def cb():
     refresh_token = resp['refresh_token']
 
     me_rq = rq.get(f"{SPOTIFY_API_ENDPOINT}/me", headers = { 'Authorization': f"Bearer {spotify_token}" })
-    resp = me_rq.json()
     if me_rq.status_code != 200:
-        return resp
+        return render_template("index_authorised.html", message={
+            'type': 'error',
+            'text': f"unable to authenticate with spotify. please try again later."
+        })
+    resp = me_rq.json()
     spotify_id = resp['id']
 
     db.add_user(user_secret, spotify_token, spotify_id, token_expires, refresh_token, client_secret_expires=USER_SECRET_EXPIRATION)