diff --git a/src/epplibwrapper/errors.py b/src/epplibwrapper/errors.py
index c54689706..b9f333d72 100644
--- a/src/epplibwrapper/errors.py
+++ b/src/epplibwrapper/errors.py
@@ -67,6 +67,10 @@ class RegistryError(Exception):
     def should_retry(self):
         return self.code == ErrorCode.COMMAND_FAILED
 
+    # connection errors have error code of None and [Errno 99] in the err message
+    def is_connection_error(self):
+        return self.code is None
+    
     def is_session_error(self):
         return self.code is not None and (self.code >= 2501 and self.code <= 2502)
 
diff --git a/src/registrar/admin.py b/src/registrar/admin.py
index 70266bcb8..e3f8d846e 100644
--- a/src/registrar/admin.py
+++ b/src/registrar/admin.py
@@ -753,6 +753,12 @@ class DomainAdmin(ListHeaderAdmin):
                     "Error placing the hold with the registry: {err}",
                     messages.ERROR,
                 )
+            elif err.is_connection_error():
+                self.message_user(
+                    request,
+                    "Error connecting to the registry",
+                    messages.ERROR,
+                )
             else:
                 # all other type error messages, display the error
                 self.message_user(request, err, messages.ERROR)