diff --git a/i3pystatus/github.py b/i3pystatus/github.py
index e569a74..3216f79 100644
--- a/i3pystatus/github.py
+++ b/i3pystatus/github.py
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
-from i3pystatus import IntervalModule
-import requests
 import json
+
+import requests
+from i3pystatus import IntervalModule
+from i3pystatus import logger
 from i3pystatus.core import ConfigError
 from i3pystatus.core.util import user_open, internet, require
+from requests import Timeout, ConnectionError
 
 
 class Github(IntervalModule):
@@ -51,19 +54,23 @@ class Github(IntervalModule):
 
     @require(internet)
     def run(self):
-        format_values = dict(unread_count='', unread='')
 
-        if self.access_token:
-            response = requests.get('https://api.github.com/notifications?access_token=' + self.access_token)
-        else:
-            response = requests.get('https://api.github.com/notifications', auth=(self.username, self.password))
-        data = json.loads(response.text)
+        try:
+            if self.access_token:
+                response = requests.get('https://api.github.com/notifications?access_token=' + self.access_token)
+            else:
+                response = requests.get('https://api.github.com/notifications', auth=(self.username, self.password))
+            data = json.loads(response.text)
+        except (ConnectionError, Timeout) as e:
+            logger.warn(e)
+            data = []
 
         # Bad credentials
         if isinstance(data, dict):
             err_msg = data['message']
             raise ConfigError(err_msg)
 
+        format_values = dict(unread_count='', unread='')
         unread = len(data)
         if unread > 0:
             format_values['unread_count'] = unread