diff --git a/src/embedder_manager.cpp b/src/embedder_manager.cpp
index 06e80aea..5d75862b 100644
--- a/src/embedder_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/embedder_manager.cpp
@@ -485,6 +485,10 @@ Option<nlohmann::json> EmbedderManager::get_public_model_config(const std::strin
         return Option<nlohmann::json>(config);
     }
 
+    if(res >= 500) {
+        return Option<nlohmann::json>(res, "Model repository is down. Status code: " +  std::to_string(res));
+    }
+
     return Option<nlohmann::json>(404, "Model not found");
 }