diff --git a/apps/web/src/lib/api.ts b/apps/web/src/lib/api.ts
index d1c7bdb..f3911b5 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/lib/api.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/lib/api.ts
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ async function request<T>(path: string, options: RequestInit & { timeoutMs?: num
     });
 
     if (!res.ok) {
-      const body = await res.json().catch(() => ({ error: 'Unknown error' }));
-      throw new Error(body.error || `HTTP ${res.status}`);
+      const body = await res.json().catch(() => null);
+      throw new Error(body?.error || `HTTP ${res.status} ${res.statusText}`);
     }
 
     return res.json();
@@ -95,6 +95,9 @@ async function request<T>(path: string, options: RequestInit & { timeoutMs?: num
     if (e instanceof DOMException && e.name === 'AbortError') {
       throw new Error('Request timed out — server may be unreachable');
     }
+    if (e instanceof TypeError) {
+      throw new Error('Network error — server may be unreachable');
+    }
     throw e;
   } finally {
     clearTimeout(timeout);