diff --git a/ftl/core/statistics.ftl b/ftl/core/statistics.ftl
index 0b5fc5eb5..8b122a644 100644
--- a/ftl/core/statistics.ftl
+++ b/ftl/core/statistics.ftl
@@ -172,7 +172,6 @@ statistics-elapsed-time-years = { $amount }y
 
 ##
 
-statistics-error-fetching = Error searching - please check your search is correct, or use the Check Database feature.
 statistics-average-for-days-studied = Average for days studied
 statistics-total = Total
 statistics-days-studied = Days studied
diff --git a/qt/aqt/mediasrv.py b/qt/aqt/mediasrv.py
index 5482b849f..b37282afc 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/mediasrv.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/mediasrv.py
@@ -287,11 +287,14 @@ def handle_post(path: str) -> Response:
         return flask.make_response("Collection not open", HTTPStatus.NOT_FOUND)
 
     if path in post_handlers:
-        if data := post_handlers[path]():
-            response = flask.make_response(data)
-            response.headers["Content-Type"] = "application/binary"
-        else:
-            response = flask.make_response("", HTTPStatus.NO_CONTENT)
+        try:
+            if data := post_handlers[path]():
+                response = flask.make_response(data)
+                response.headers["Content-Type"] = "application/binary"
+            else:
+                response = flask.make_response("", HTTPStatus.NO_CONTENT)
+        except Exception as e:
+            return flask.make_response(str(e), HTTPStatus.INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR)
     else:
         response = flask.make_response(
             f"Unhandled post to {path}",
diff --git a/ts/graphs/GraphsPage.svelte b/ts/graphs/GraphsPage.svelte
index 2597a09f0..05ade8f0b 100644
--- a/ts/graphs/GraphsPage.svelte
+++ b/ts/graphs/GraphsPage.svelte
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
             revlogRange = daysToRevlogRange(days);
         } catch (e) {
             sourceData = null;
-            alert(i18n.tr(i18n.TR.STATISTICS_ERROR_FETCHING));
+            alert(e);
         }
         active = false;
     };
diff --git a/ts/lib/postrequest.ts b/ts/lib/postrequest.ts
index 100fe668f..a3075361b 100644
--- a/ts/lib/postrequest.ts
+++ b/ts/lib/postrequest.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ export async function postRequest(path: string, body: string): Promise<Uint8Arra
         body,
     });
     if (!resp.ok) {
-        throw Error(`unexpected reply: ${resp.statusText}`);
+        const body = await resp.text();
+        throw Error(`${resp.status}: ${body}`);
     }
     // get returned bytes
     const respBlob = await resp.blob();