diff --git a/accounts/accounts/api.py b/accounts/accounts/api.py
index 8fba6ae..aad2ab4 100644
--- a/accounts/accounts/api.py
+++ b/accounts/accounts/api.py
@@ -83,6 +83,9 @@ def post_login():
 @json_error
 def get_login():
     auth_cookie = request.cookies.get(COOKIE_KEY)
+    if not auth_cookie:
+        return jsonify({"error": "no auth cookie in request", "status": 401}), 401
+
     public_keys = app.config["JWT_PUBLIC_KEYS"]
 
     token = None