diff --git a/gbif_webservices.py b/gbif_webservices.py
index 1f213fc..aa4cc6c 100644
--- a/gbif_webservices.py
+++ b/gbif_webservices.py
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 class ConnectionIssue(Exception):
     pass
 
+class GBIFApiError(Exception):
+    pass
 
 def _finalize_filters(filters):
     fixed_filters = {'hasCoordinate': 'true', 'limit': RECORDS_PER_PAGE}
@@ -31,7 +33,10 @@ def count_occurrences(filters):
     except requests.exceptions.ConnectionError:
         raise ConnectionIssue
     else:
-        resp = req.json()
+        try:
+            resp = req.json()
+        except ValueError:  # When GBIF throws an error message, it's plain text (not JSON)
+            raise GBIFApiError(req.text)
 
         try:
             c = resp['count']
diff --git a/metadata.txt b/metadata.txt
index 1b345d1..565d1e8 100644
--- a/metadata.txt
+++ b/metadata.txt
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 name=GBIF Occurrences
 qgisMinimumVersion=2.0
 description=Retrieve data from GBIF webservices (occurences API) directly within QGIS.
-version=0.1.2
+version=0.1.3
 author=Nicolas Noé - Belgian Biodiversity Platform
 email=n.noe@biodiversity.be
 about=GBIF Occurrences is a QGIS plugin to directly download and import GBIF occurrence data from the application interface.
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ about=GBIF Occurrences is a QGIS plugin to directly download and import GBIF occ
 
 # Uncomment the following line and add your changelog:
 changelog=
+    0.1.3 - Better error messages when incorrect filters.
     0.1.2 - Plugin remove itself from menu on deactivation
     0.1.1 - Packaging fix for https://github.com/BelgianBiodiversityPlatform/qgis-gbif-api/issues/21 
     0.1   - Initial release
diff --git a/qgis_occurrences_dialog.py b/qgis_occurrences_dialog.py
index 6512455..ae8a360 100644
--- a/qgis_occurrences_dialog.py
+++ b/qgis_occurrences_dialog.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 from helpers import create_and_add_layer, add_gbif_occ_to_layer
 from gbif_webservices import (get_occurrences_in_baches, count_occurrences, ConnectionIssue,
-                              MAX_TOTAL_RECORDS_GBIF)
+                              GBIFApiError, MAX_TOTAL_RECORDS_GBIF)
 
 parent_dir = os.path.abspath(os.path.dirname(__file__))
 vendor_dir = os.path.join(parent_dir, 'vendor')
@@ -90,7 +90,8 @@ def __init__(self, parent=None):
                                        self.catalogNumberField, self.publishingCountryComboBox,
                                        self.institutionCodeField, self.collectionCodeField,
                                        self.yearRangeBox, self.maxYearEdit, self.minYearEdit,
-                                       self.taxonKeyField, self.datasetKeyField, self.recordedByField)
+                                       self.taxonKeyField, self.datasetKeyField,
+                                       self.recordedByField)
 
         self.loadButton.clicked.connect(self.load_occurrences)
         self.yearRangeBox.clicked.connect(self.year_range_ui)
@@ -138,7 +139,9 @@ def show_progress(self, already_loaded_records, total_records):
         self.progressBar.setValue(percent)
 
     def connection_error_message(self):
-        msg = "Cannot connect to GBIF. Please check your Internet connection."
+        self.error_message("Cannot connect to GBIF. Please check your Internet connection.")
+
+    def error_message(self, msg):
         QtGui.QMessageBox.critical(self, "Error", msg)
 
     def _ui_to_filters(self):
@@ -167,6 +170,8 @@ def load_occurrences(self):
             count = count_occurrences(filters)
         except ConnectionIssue:
             self.connection_error_message()
+        except GBIFApiError as e:
+            self.error_message("GBIF Error: " + str(e))
         else:
             if count > MAX_TOTAL_RECORDS_GBIF:
                 self.dialog_too_many_results()
diff --git a/test/test_qgis_occurrences_dialog.py b/test/test_qgis_occurrences_dialog.py
index 9e17748..c3ceeb5 100644
--- a/test/test_qgis_occurrences_dialog.py
+++ b/test/test_qgis_occurrences_dialog.py
@@ -433,7 +433,10 @@ def test_attributes(self):
             self.assertIn("GEODETIC_DATUM_ASSUMED_WGS84", record_id_90129834.attribute('issues'))
             self.assertIn("COUNTRY_DERIVED_FROM_COORDINATES", record_id_90129834.attribute('issues'))
 
-
+        # TODO:
+        # Regression test: test plugin remove itself from Menu when deactivated.
+        # Regression test: that GBIF API error messages are displayed back to the user
+        # (for example: using mammalia as TaxonKey => Invalid integer range: mammalia)
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     suite = unittest.makeSuite(GBIFOccurrencesDialogTest)
     runner = unittest.TextTestRunner(verbosity=2)