diff --git a/packages/db/src/core/cli/commands/link/index.ts b/packages/db/src/core/cli/commands/link/index.ts
index f4b3a45911..d7775e00e6 100644
--- a/packages/db/src/core/cli/commands/link/index.ts
+++ b/packages/db/src/core/cli/commands/link/index.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,12 @@ export async function cmd({ flags }: { config: AstroConfig; flags: Arguments })
 		body: JSON.stringify(body)
 	});
 	if (!response.ok) {
+		// Unauthorized
+		if(response.status === 401) {
+			console.error('Unauthorized. Are you logged-in? Run `astro db login` to authenticate and then try linking again.');
+			process.exit(1);
+		}
+
 		console.error(`Failed to link project: ${response.status} ${response.statusText}`);
 		process.exit(1);
 	}