diff --git a/lib/contracts/deploy_manager.js b/lib/contracts/deploy_manager.js
index 4f5eb302..2e2baff7 100644
--- a/lib/contracts/deploy_manager.js
+++ b/lib/contracts/deploy_manager.js
@@ -34,12 +34,9 @@ DeployManager.prototype.deployContracts = function(done) {
     web3.setProvider(new web3.providers.HttpProvider(web3Endpoint));
 
     if (!web3.isConnected()) {
-      console.log(("Couldn't connect to " + web3Endpoint.underline + " are you sure it's on?").red);
-      console.log("make sure you have an ethereum node or simulator running. e.g 'embark blockchain'".magenta);
-      //  ===================================
-      // TODO: should throw exception instead
-      //  ===================================
-      process.exit();
+      self.logger.error(("Couldn't connect to " + web3Endpoint.underline + " are you sure it's on?").red);
+      self.logger.info("make sure you have an ethereum node or simulator running. e.g 'embark blockchain'".magenta);
+      return callback(Error("error connecting to blockchain node"));
     }
 
     web3.eth.getAccounts(function(err, accounts) {