diff --git a/pkg/action/release_testing.go b/pkg/action/release_testing.go
index 15cc70947..1a6e5b8ba 100644
--- a/pkg/action/release_testing.go
+++ b/pkg/action/release_testing.go
@@ -46,6 +46,10 @@ func NewReleaseTesting(cfg *Configuration) *ReleaseTesting {
 
 // Run executes 'helm test' against the given release.
 func (r *ReleaseTesting) Run(name string) error {
+	if err := r.cfg.KubeClient.IsReachable(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	if err := validateReleaseName(name); err != nil {
 		return errors.Errorf("releaseTest: Release name is invalid: %s", name)
 	}