diff --git a/qds_sdk/connection.py b/qds_sdk/connection.py
index 3ec4c0a8..c456a4e1 100644
--- a/qds_sdk/connection.py
+++ b/qds_sdk/connection.py
@@ -131,12 +131,12 @@ def _api_call_raw(self, req_type, path, data=None, params=None):
         else:
             raise NotImplemented
 
+        self._validate_json(r)
         self._handle_error(r)
         return r
 
     def _api_call(self, req_type, path, data=None, params=None):
         response = self._api_call_raw(req_type, path, data=data, params=params)
-        self._validate_json(response)
         return response.json()
 
     @staticmethod