diff --git a/cmd/krew/cmd/internal/fetch_tag.go b/cmd/krew/cmd/internal/fetch_tag.go
index 8ec5ce77..51697920 100644
--- a/cmd/krew/cmd/internal/fetch_tag.go
+++ b/cmd/krew/cmd/internal/fetch_tag.go
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@ func FetchLatestTag() (string, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", errors.Wrapf(err, "could not GET the latest release")
 	}
+	if response.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		return "", errors.Errorf("expected HTTP status 200 OK, got %s", response.Status)
+	}
 	defer response.Body.Close()
 
 	var res struct {