diff --git a/web/cashtab/src/hooks/useWallet.js b/web/cashtab/src/hooks/useWallet.js
--- a/web/cashtab/src/hooks/useWallet.js
+++ b/web/cashtab/src/hooks/useWallet.js
@@ -218,6 +218,17 @@
                 wallet.Path1899.publicKey,
             ];
 
+            // Check that server is live
+            try {
+                await BCH.Blockchain.getBlockCount();
+            } catch (err) {
+                console.log(
+                    `Error in BCH.Blockchain.getBlockCount, the full node is likely down`,
+                    err,
+                );
+                throw new Error(`Node unavailable`);
+            }
+
             const utxos = await getUtxos(BCH, cashAddresses);
 
             // If an error is returned or utxos from only 1 address are returned