diff --git a/cmd/status.go b/cmd/status.go
index 4d1ca70..329ae19 100644
--- a/cmd/status.go
+++ b/cmd/status.go
@@ -50,7 +50,14 @@ func runStatus(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	defer resp.Body.Close()
 
 	if resp.StatusCode < 200 || resp.StatusCode >= 300 {
-		pterm.Error.Println("Could not reach Kernel API. Check https://status.kernel.sh for updates.")
+		if h, err := client.Get(util.GetBaseURL() + "/health"); err == nil {
+			h.Body.Close()
+			if h.StatusCode >= 200 && h.StatusCode < 300 {
+				pterm.Error.Println("Kernel API is responding but /status is unavailable. Check https://status.kernel.sh for updates.")
+				return nil
+			}
+		}
+		pterm.Error.Println("Kernel API is down. Check https://status.kernel.sh for updates.")
 		return nil
 	}