diff --git a/library/Icingadb/Command/Transport/ApiCommandTransport.php b/library/Icingadb/Command/Transport/ApiCommandTransport.php
index 3b37b982..08351340 100644
--- a/library/Icingadb/Command/Transport/ApiCommandTransport.php
+++ b/library/Icingadb/Command/Transport/ApiCommandTransport.php
@@ -238,6 +238,14 @@ class ApiCommandTransport implements CommandTransportInterface
         }
 
         if (! isset($responseData['results']) || empty($responseData['results'])) {
+            if (isset($responseData['error'])) {
+                throw new ApiCommandException(
+                    'Can\'t send external Icinga command: %u %s',
+                    $responseData['error'],
+                    $responseData['status']
+                );
+            }
+
             return;
         }