diff --git a/nucypher/network/nodes.py b/nucypher/network/nodes.py
index 4336c16496..edd8b0a52c 100644
--- a/nucypher/network/nodes.py
+++ b/nucypher/network/nodes.py
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ def select_teacher_nodes(self):
 
         if not nodes_we_know_about:
             self.log.warn("Need some nodes to start learning from.")
-            return False
+            raise self.NotEnoughTeachers("Need some nodes to start learning from.")
 
         self.teacher_nodes.extend(nodes_we_know_about)