diff --git a/cogs/refractor.py b/cogs/refractor.py
index a1f2f63..00ac2b7 100644
--- a/cogs/refractor.py
+++ b/cogs/refractor.py
@@ -181,11 +181,24 @@ class Refractor(commands.Cog):
 
         data = await db_get("refractor/cards", params=params)
         if not data:
+            logger.error(
+                "Refractor API returned empty response for team %s", team["id"]
+            )
             await interaction.edit_original_response(
                 content="No refractor data found for your team."
             )
             return
 
+        # API error responses contain "detail" key
+        if isinstance(data, dict) and "detail" in data:
+            logger.error(
+                "Refractor API error for team %s: %s", team["id"], data["detail"]
+            )
+            await interaction.edit_original_response(
+                content="Something went wrong fetching refractor data. Please try again later."
+            )
+            return
+
         items = data if isinstance(data, list) else data.get("items", [])
         total_count = (
             data.get("count", len(items)) if isinstance(data, dict) else len(items)