diff --git a/server/src/services/metadata.service.ts b/server/src/services/metadata.service.ts
index 1e17f63283..402ccbbac7 100644
--- a/server/src/services/metadata.service.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/metadata.service.ts
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@ export class MetadataService extends BaseService {
       this.logger.log(`Initialized local reverse geocoder`);
     } catch (error: Error | any) {
       this.logger.error(`Unable to initialize reverse geocoding: ${error}`, error?.stack);
+      throw new Error(`Metadata service init failed`);
     }
   }