diff --git a/EDMarketConnector.py b/EDMarketConnector.py
index a44a465d..ab893b50 100755
--- a/EDMarketConnector.py
+++ b/EDMarketConnector.py
@@ -127,8 +127,19 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':  # noqa: C901
                         nargs='*'
                         )
 
+    parser.add_argument(
+        '--capi-pretend-down',
+        help='Force to raise ServerError on any CAPI query',
+        action='store_true'
+    )
+
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
+    if args.capi_pretend_down:
+        import config as conf_module
+        logger.info('Pretending CAPI is down')
+        conf_module.capi_pretend_down = True
+
     level_to_set: Optional[int] = None
     if args.trace or args.trace_on:
         level_to_set = logging.TRACE  # type: ignore # it exists
diff --git a/companion.py b/companion.py
index 6ad2bc01..08c92b7d 100644
--- a/companion.py
+++ b/companion.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Dict, List, Mapping, Optional, OrderedDic
 
 import requests
 
+import config as conf_module
 from config import appname, appversion, config
 from edmc_data import companion_category_map as category_map
 from EDMCLogging import get_main_logger
@@ -563,8 +564,11 @@ class Session(object):
             logger.error('cannot make a query when unauthorized')
             raise CredentialsError('cannot make a query when unauthorized')
 
+        logger.trace_if('capi.query', 'Trying...')
+        if conf_module.capi_pretend_down:
+            raise ServerConnectionError(f'Pretending CAPI down: {endpoint}')
+
         try:
-            logger.trace_if('capi.query', 'Trying...')
             r = self.session.get(self.server + endpoint, timeout=timeout)  # type: ignore
 
         except requests.ConnectionError as e:
diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index 012eb84d..d1cfd403 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ debug_senders: List[str] = []
 # *all* if only interested in some things.
 trace_on: List[str] = []
 
+capi_pretend_down: bool = False
 # This must be done here in order to avoid an import cycle with EDMCLogging.
 # Other code should use EDMCLogging.get_main_logger
 if os.getenv("EDMC_NO_UI"):