diff --git a/backend/services/partnerNetwork/referrals.js b/backend/services/partnerNetwork/referrals.js
index 6a68b02a..103c9f0c 100644
--- a/backend/services/partnerNetwork/referrals.js
+++ b/backend/services/partnerNetwork/referrals.js
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ async function sendReferral(req, res, next) {
     clearTimeout(timeout);
 
     if (response.status >= 400 && response.status < 600) {
-      return res.status(response.status).json({message: 'Bad response from receiver: ' + response.status});
+      return res.status(response.status).json({message: 'Bad response from receiver: ' + response.status + (response.message ? ': ' + response.message : null)});
     }
     return res.status(202).json({success: true, message: `Successfully created and sent a referral`});
   } catch (e) {