diff --git a/ankiqt/ui/getshared.py b/ankiqt/ui/getshared.py
index 6379d95bd..d1300d024 100644
--- a/ankiqt/ui/getshared.py
+++ b/ankiqt/ui/getshared.py
@@ -71,8 +71,25 @@ class GetShared(QDialog):
         self.parent.setProgressParent(None)
         self.form.search.setFocus()
         if err:
+            errorString = self.http.errorString()
+        else:
+            # double check ... make sure http status code was valid
+            # this is to counter bugs in handling proxy responses
+            respHeader = self.http.lastResponse()
+            if respHeader.isValid():
+                statusCode = respHeader.statusCode()
+                if statusCode < 200 or statusCode >= 300:
+                    err = True
+                    errorString = respHeader.reasonPhrase()
+            else:
+                err = True
+                errorString = "Invalid HTTP header received!"
+
+        if err:
+            if self.parent.config['proxyHost']:
+                errorString += "\n" + _("Please check the proxy settings.")
             showInfo(_("Unable to connect to server.") + "\n" +
-                     self.http.errorString(), parent=self)
+                     errorString, parent=self)
             self.close()
             return
         data = self.http.readAll()
diff --git a/ankiqt/ui/main.py b/ankiqt/ui/main.py
index 3a75a7716..36c00ec35 100644
--- a/ankiqt/ui/main.py
+++ b/ankiqt/ui/main.py
@@ -1956,6 +1956,8 @@ it to your friends.
         msg = _("""\
 <h1>Sync Failed</h1>
 Couldn't contact Anki Online. Please check your internet connection.""")
+        if self.config['proxyHost']:
+            msg += _(" Also check your proxy settings.")
         if self.config['syncInMsgBox']:
             ui.utils.showWarning(msg)
         else:
@@ -2592,7 +2594,7 @@ Consider backing up your media directory first."""))
             proxy.setPort(self.config['proxyPort'])
             if self.config['proxyUser']:
                 proxy.setUser(self.config['proxyUser'])
-                proxy.setPass(self.config['proxyPass'])
+                proxy.setPassword(self.config['proxyPass'])
             QNetworkProxy.setApplicationProxy(proxy)
             # python
             proxy = "http://"