diff --git a/CHANGELOG b/CHANGELOG
index fdd544a0..4b0c6e4b 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG
+++ b/CHANGELOG
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ When using `mass_background_update`, added `ignore_locked` attribute which will
 Add `date` option for schedules
 Add `trakt`, `omdb_metascore`, `omdb_tomatoes` ratings sources for mass operations.
 Add `trakt` ratings source for mass episode operations.
+Added GitHub token validation during config validation.
 
 # Docs
 Added "getting started" page
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index c6edcf55..b8ca027e 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-2.1.0-build49
+2.1.0-build50
diff --git a/kometa.py b/kometa.py
index 2ccd4494..b67a4677 100644
--- a/kometa.py
+++ b/kometa.py
@@ -205,14 +205,12 @@ elif not os.path.exists(os.path.join(default_dir, "config.yml")):
             print(f"Configuration File ('config.yml') has been downloaded from GitHub (Branch: '{git_branch}') and saved as '{config_path}'. Please update this file with your API keys and other required settings.")
             sys.exit(1)
         else:
-            print(f"Config Error: Unable to download the configuration file from GitHub (URL: {github_url}'). Please save it as '{config_path}' before running Kometa again.")
-            sys.exit(1)
+            raise requests.RequestException
     except requests.RequestException as e:
         print(f"Config Error: Unable to download the configuration file from GitHub (URL: {github_url}'). Please save it as '{config_path}' before running Kometa again.")
         sys.exit(1)
 
 
-
 logger = MyLogger("Kometa", default_dir, run_args["width"], run_args["divider"][0], run_args["ignore-ghost"],
                   run_args["tests"] or run_args["debug"], run_args["trace"], run_args["log-requests"])
 
diff --git a/modules/config.py b/modules/config.py
index 0b11fb83..687205cc 100644
--- a/modules/config.py
+++ b/modules/config.py
@@ -548,6 +548,7 @@ class ConfigFile:
             self.Cache = Cache(self.config_path, self.general["cache_expiration"])
         else:
             self.Cache = None
+
         self.GitHub = GitHub(self.Requests, {
             "token": check_for_attribute(self.data, "token", parent="github", default_is_none=True)
         })
diff --git a/modules/github.py b/modules/github.py
index 768b0fc0..0a14c2d6 100644
--- a/modules/github.py
+++ b/modules/github.py
@@ -13,8 +13,19 @@ class GitHub:
     def __init__(self, requests, params):
         self.requests = requests
         self.token = params["token"]
-        logger.secret(self.token)
-        self.headers = {"Authorization": f"token {self.token}"} if self.token else None
+        self.headers = None
+        if self.token:
+            logger.separator()
+            logger.info("Connecting to GitHub...")
+            logger.secret(self.token)
+            self.headers = {"Authorization": f"token {self.token}"}
+            try:
+                response = self._requests("https://api.github.com/user", err_msg="The GitHub token specified could not be validated. Please verify that the token is correct.")
+                logger.info(f"GitHub token validated successfully. Authenticated as {response['login']}")
+            except Failed as e:
+                self.token = None
+                self.headers = None
+                logger.error(e)
         self.images_raw_url = f"{raw_url}/Kometa-Team/Image-Sets/master/sets/"
         self.translation_url = f"{raw_url}/Kometa-Team/Translations/master/defaults/"
         self._configs_url = None
@@ -29,14 +40,13 @@ class GitHub:
             return self.requests.get_yaml(url, headers=self.headers, params=params)
         response = self.requests.get(url, headers=self.headers, params=params)
         if response.status_code >= 400:
-            logger.stacktrace()
-            logger.error(response.reason)
-            raise Failed(f"Git Error: {err_msg}")
+            raise Failed(f"GitHub Error: {err_msg} Response: {response.status_code} - {response.reason} ")
         try:
             return response.json()
         except ValueError:
+            logger.stacktrace()
             logger.error(str(response.content))
-            raise
+            raise Failed("GitHub JSON Unpack Error")
 
     def get_top_tree(self, repo):
         if not str(repo).startswith("/"):