diff --git a/src/declarative/pkupdates.h b/src/declarative/pkupdates.h
--- a/src/declarative/pkupdates.h
+++ b/src/declarative/pkupdates.h
@@ -227,6 +227,7 @@
     QString m_statusMessage;
     int m_percentage = 0;
     Activity m_activity = Idle;
+    bool m_lastCheckSuccessful = false;
 };
 
 #endif // PLASMA_PK_UPDATES_H
diff --git a/src/declarative/pkupdates.cpp b/src/declarative/pkupdates.cpp
--- a/src/declarative/pkupdates.cpp
+++ b/src/declarative/pkupdates.cpp
@@ -134,6 +134,8 @@
             return msg + "<br>" + i18n("(including %1)", extra.join(i18n(" and ")));
     } else if (!isNetworkOnline()) {
         return i18n("Your system is offline");
+    } else if (!m_lastCheckSuccessful) {
+        return i18n("Checking for updates failed");
     }
 
     return i18n("Your system is up to date");
@@ -345,7 +347,9 @@
                 "in" << runtime/1000 << "seconds";
 
     if (trans->role() == PackageKit::Transaction::RoleRefreshCache) {
-        if (status == PackageKit::Transaction::ExitSuccess) {
+        m_lastCheckSuccessful = status == PackageKit::Transaction::ExitSuccess; 
+
+        if (m_lastCheckSuccessful) {
             qCDebug(PLASMA_PK_UPDATES) << "Cache transaction finished successfully";
 
             // save the timestamp
@@ -359,7 +363,9 @@
             emit done();
         }
     } else if (trans->role() == PackageKit::Transaction::RoleGetUpdates) {
-        if (status == PackageKit::Transaction::ExitSuccess) {
+        m_lastCheckSuccessful = status == PackageKit::Transaction::ExitSuccess;
+
+        if (m_lastCheckSuccessful) {
             qCDebug(PLASMA_PK_UPDATES) << "Check updates transaction finished successfully";
             const int upCount = count();
             if (upCount > 0) {