diff --git a/lib/pact_broker/client/base_client.rb b/lib/pact_broker/client/base_client.rb
index 2df7b8e7..6369f7c7 100644
--- a/lib/pact_broker/client/base_client.rb
+++ b/lib/pact_broker/client/base_client.rb
@@ -69,6 +69,12 @@ def handle_response response
           yield response
         elsif response.code == 404
           nil
+        elsif response.code == 403
+          message = "Authorization failed (insufficient permissions)"
+          if response.body && response.body.size > 0
+            message = message + ": #{response.body}"
+          end
+          raise Error.new(message)
         elsif response.code == 401
           message = "Authentication failed"
           if response.body && response.body.size > 0