diff --git a/mytwitter.py b/mytwitter.py
index 311e589..a591d1c 100755
--- a/mytwitter.py
+++ b/mytwitter.py
@@ -330,14 +330,20 @@ class MyTwitter():
     # Name is the name of a pane, with the 'user: ' in place
     def check_following(self, name):
         screen_name = re.sub('user: ', '', name)
-        relationship = self.api.ShowFriendships(target_screen_name=screen_name)
+        try:
+            relationship = self.api.ShowFriendships(target_screen_name=screen_name)
+        except HTTPError:
+            return False
         return relationship.source.following
 
 
     # Name is the name of a pane, with the 'user: ' in place
     def check_verified(self, name):
         screen_name = re.sub('user: ', '', name)
-        user = self.api.GetUser(screen_name)
+        try:
+            user = self.api.GetUser(screen_name)
+        except HTTPError:
+            return False
         return user.verified