diff --git a/powersimdata/output/output_data.py b/powersimdata/output/output_data.py
index 6cebf68be..54b477355 100644
--- a/powersimdata/output/output_data.py
+++ b/powersimdata/output/output_data.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import os
+import pickle
 
 import numpy as np
 import pandas as pd
@@ -41,6 +42,9 @@ def get_data(self, scenario_id, field_name):
         try:
             data = _read_data(file_name)
             return data
+        except pickle.UnpicklingError:
+            err_msg = f"Unable to unpickle {file_name}, possibly corrupted in download."
+            raise ValueError(err_msg)
         except FileNotFoundError:
             print(
                 "%s not found in %s on local machine"