diff --git a/machine/providers/digitalocean.py b/machine/providers/digitalocean.py
index 00cc239..5247c6b 100644
--- a/machine/providers/digitalocean.py
+++ b/machine/providers/digitalocean.py
@@ -59,7 +59,10 @@ def create_vm(self, name, region, image, size, ssh_key_name, tags, user_data) ->
             user_data=user_data,
             backups=False,
         )
-        droplet.create()
+        try:
+            droplet.create()
+        except digitalocean.DataReadError as e:
+            fatal_error(f"DigitalOcean API error creating VM: {e}")
         return _droplet_to_vm(droplet)
 
     def get_vm(self, vm_id) -> VM: