diff --git a/src/api/views.py b/src/api/views.py
index 93d27a382..85ae021c9 100644
--- a/src/api/views.py
+++ b/src/api/views.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ def check_domain_available(domain):
 
     The given domain is lowercased to match against the domains list. If the
     given domain doesn't end with .gov, ".gov" is added when looking for
-    a match.
+    a match. If check fails, throws a RegistryError.
     """
     Domain = apps.get_model("registrar.Domain")
     if domain.endswith(".gov"):
diff --git a/src/registrar/models/utility/domain_helper.py b/src/registrar/models/utility/domain_helper.py
index 14cae53bc..c8419ca54 100644
--- a/src/registrar/models/utility/domain_helper.py
+++ b/src/registrar/models/utility/domain_helper.py
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ class DomainHelper:
         try:
             if not check_domain_available(domain):
                 raise errors.DomainUnavailableError()
-        except Exception:
-            raise errors.RegistrySystemError()
+        except RegistryError as err:
+            raise errors.RegistrySystemError() from err
         return domain
 
     @classmethod