diff --git a/src/pretix/plugins/paypal2/payment.py b/src/pretix/plugins/paypal2/payment.py
index 01714d143..c99e02a3f 100644
--- a/src/pretix/plugins/paypal2/payment.py
+++ b/src/pretix/plugins/paypal2/payment.py
@@ -1100,6 +1100,8 @@ class PaypalAPM(PaypalMethod):
         payment.save(update_fields=["provider"])
 
         paypal_order = self._create_paypal_order(request, payment, None)
+        if not paypal_order:
+            raise PaymentException(_('We had trouble communicating with PayPal'))
         payment.info = json.dumps(paypal_order.dict())
         payment.save(update_fields=['info'])