diff --git a/utils/hosting_utils.py b/utils/hosting_utils.py
index 9492e1de..d3492a64 100644
--- a/utils/hosting_utils.py
+++ b/utils/hosting_utils.py
@@ -151,17 +151,20 @@ def ping_ok(host_ipv6):
 
 
 def get_vat_rate_for_country(country):
-    vat_rate = VATRates.objects.get(
-        territory_codes=country, start_date__isnull=False, stop_date=None
-    )
-    if vat_rate:
+    vat_rate = None
+    try:
+        vat_rate = VATRates.objects.get(
+            territory_codes=country, start_date__isnull=False, stop_date=None
+        )
         logger.debug("VAT rate for %s is %s" % (country, vat_rate.rate))
         return vat_rate.rate
-    else:
+    except VATRates.DoesNotExist as dne:
+        logger.debug(str(dne))
         logger.debug("Did not find VAT rate for %s, returning 0" % country)
         return 0
 
 
+
 class HostingUtils:
     @staticmethod
     def clear_items_from_list(from_list, items_list):