diff --git a/extensions/cpsection/updater/view.py b/extensions/cpsection/updater/view.py
index 071fe46aa3..80ed8dab6b 100644
--- a/extensions/cpsection/updater/view.py
+++ b/extensions/cpsection/updater/view.py
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ def __init__(self, model, alerts):
         self._model = updater.get_instance()
         self._model.connect('progress', self.__progress_cb)
         self._model.connect('updates-available', self.__updates_available_cb)
+        self._model.connect('error', self.__error_cb)
         self._model.connect('finished', self.__finished_cb)
 
         self.set_spacing(style.DEFAULT_SPACING)
@@ -57,15 +58,15 @@ def __init__(self, model, alerts):
         self.pack_start(separator, False, True, 0)
         separator.show()
 
-        bottom_label = Gtk.Label()
-        bottom_label.set_line_wrap(True)
-        bottom_label.set_justify(Gtk.Justification.LEFT)
-        bottom_label.props.xalign = 0
-        bottom_label.set_markup(
+        self._bottom_label = Gtk.Label()
+        self._bottom_label.set_line_wrap(True)
+        self._bottom_label.set_justify(Gtk.Justification.LEFT)
+        self._bottom_label.props.xalign = 0
+        self._bottom_label.set_markup(
             _('Software updates correct errors, eliminate security '
               'vulnerabilities, and provide new features.'))
-        self.pack_start(bottom_label, False, True, 0)
-        bottom_label.show()
+        self.pack_start(self._bottom_label, False, True, 0)
+        self._bottom_label.show()
 
         self._update_box = None
         self._progress_pane = None
@@ -165,6 +166,15 @@ def __updates_available_cb(self, model, updates):
         else:
             self._switch_to_update_box(updates)
 
+    def __error_cb(self, model, updates):
+        logging.debug('ActivityUpdater.__error_cb')
+        top_message = _('Can\'t connect to the activity server')
+        self._top_label.set_markup('<big>%s</big>' % top_message)
+        self._bottom_label.set_markup(
+            _('Verify your connection to internet and try again, '
+              'or try again later'))
+        self._clear_center()
+
     def __refresh_button_clicked_cb(self, button):
         self._refresh()
 
diff --git a/src/jarabe/model/update/aslo.py b/src/jarabe/model/update/aslo.py
index 45b5646691..74d90ef03c 100644
--- a/src/jarabe/model/update/aslo.py
+++ b/src/jarabe/model/update/aslo.py
@@ -182,9 +182,10 @@ def _check_next_update(self):
         self._checker.check(bundle)
 
     def fetch_update_info(self, installed_bundles, auto, progress_cb,
-                          completion_cb):
+                          completion_cb, error_cb):
         self._completion_cb = completion_cb
         self._progress_cb = progress_cb
+        self._error_cb = error_cb
         self._cancelling = False
         self._updates = []
         self._bundles_to_check = installed_bundles
diff --git a/src/jarabe/model/update/microformat.py b/src/jarabe/model/update/microformat.py
index b22d5bdc8c..b6179e4a07 100644
--- a/src/jarabe/model/update/microformat.py
+++ b/src/jarabe/model/update/microformat.py
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ def _got_chunk_cb(self, downloader, data):
     def _complete_cb(self, downloader, result):
         if isinstance(result, Exception):
             _logger.warning("Failed to read update info: %s", result)
-            self._completion_cb([])
+            self._error_cb(result)
             return
 
         self._parser.close()
@@ -283,9 +283,10 @@ def _name_lookup_complete(self, lookup, result, size):
         self._check_next_update()
 
     def fetch_update_info(self, installed_bundles, auto, progress_cb,
-                          completion_cb):
+                          completion_cb, error_cb):
         self._completion_cb = completion_cb
         self._progress_cb = progress_cb
+        self._error_cb = error_cb
         self._cancelling = False
         self._updates = []
         self._bundles_to_check = []
diff --git a/src/jarabe/model/update/updater.py b/src/jarabe/model/update/updater.py
index c5e652058a..eac91018b6 100644
--- a/src/jarabe/model/update/updater.py
+++ b/src/jarabe/model/update/updater.py
@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ class Updater(GObject.GObject):
         'progress': (GObject.SignalFlags.RUN_FIRST,
                      None,
                      (int, str, float)),
+        'error': (GObject.SignalFlags.RUN_FIRST,
+                  None, (str,)),
         'finished': (GObject.SignalFlags.RUN_FIRST,
                      None,
                      (object, object, bool))
@@ -105,7 +107,8 @@ def check_updates(self, auto=False):
         bundles = list(bundleregistry.get_registry())
         self._model.fetch_update_info(bundles, auto,
                                       self._backend_progress_cb,
-                                      self._backend_finished_cb)
+                                      self._backend_finished_cb,
+                                      self._backend_error_cb)
 
     def _backend_progress_cb(self, bundle_name, progress):
         self.emit('progress', self._state, bundle_name, progress)
@@ -123,6 +126,11 @@ def _backend_finished_cb(self, updates):
         else:
             self.emit('updates-available', self._updates)
 
+    def _backend_error_cb(self, error):
+        _logger.debug("_backend_error_cb %s", error)
+        self._finished(True)
+        self.emit('error', error)
+
     def update(self, bundle_ids):
         if self._state != STATE_CHECKED:
             raise UpdaterStateException()