diff --git a/proxywatchd.py b/proxywatchd.py
index 5780f8d..615d614 100644
--- a/proxywatchd.py
+++ b/proxywatchd.py
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ class WorkerJob():
 		protos = ['http', 'socks5', 'socks4'] if self.proto is None else [self.proto]
 		server_port = 6697 if config.use_ssl else 6667
 
+		fail_inc = 1
+
 		for proto in protos:
 			torhost = random.choice(config.torhosts)
 			duration = time.time()
@@ -57,12 +59,16 @@ class WorkerJob():
 					err == rocksock.RS_E_HIT_TIMEOUT:
 						# proxy is not online, so don't waste time trying all possible protocols
 						break
+				elif et == rocksock.RS_ET_GAI:
+					fail_inc = 0
+					_log("could not resolve connection target %s"%srv, "ERROR")
+					break
 
 			except KeyboardInterrupt as e:
 				raise(e)
 			except: sock.disconnect()
 
-		return None, None, None, None, None, 1
+		return None, None, None, None, None, fail_inc
 
 	def run(self):
 		self.nextcheck = (time.time() + 1800 + ((1+int(self.failcount)) * 3600))