diff --git a/src/validation_provider/index.ts b/src/validation_provider/index.ts
index 874f68875..3e63f9667 100644
--- a/src/validation_provider/index.ts
+++ b/src/validation_provider/index.ts
@@ -72,6 +72,14 @@ export class ValidationProvider implements Disposable {
       }
       return;
     }
+    const connectivity = await this.altimate.checkApiConnectivity();
+    if (connectivity?.status !== "ok") {
+      this._isAuthenticated = false;
+      if (!silent) {
+        window.showErrorMessage("Unable to connect to altimate backend.");
+      }
+      return;
+    }
     const validation = await this.altimate.validateCredentials(instance, key);
     if (!validation?.ok) {
       this._isAuthenticated = false;