diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index f041b73..99efdb3 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -1078,15 +1078,18 @@ func runDeploy() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	defer closeSSHControlMaster(ctx.serverIP)
+	defer func() {
+		closeSSHControlMaster(ctx.serverIP)
+	}()
 	start := time.Now()
 
 	binaryPath := filepath.Join(ctx.serviceDir, "pocketbase")
 	exists, err := remoteBinaryExists(ctx.serverIP, binaryPath)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "warning: Unable to contact remote server %s: %v\n", ctx.serverIP, err)
 	}
-	if !exists {
+
+	if err != nil || !exists {
 		fmt.Println("PocketBase binary missing on remote; running setup")
 		ctx, err = ensureServerConfigConfirmed(ctx)
 		if err != nil {