diff --git a/database/dynamodb/util.go b/database/dynamodb/util.go
index a80d60816..51cfef34c 100644
--- a/database/dynamodb/util.go
+++ b/database/dynamodb/util.go
@@ -196,9 +196,17 @@ func (db *DynamoDB) tableIsAlive(ctx context.Context, name string) error {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			return ctx.Err()
 		case <-ticker:
-			r, _ := db.client.DescribeTable(&dynamodb.DescribeTableInput{
+			r, err := db.client.DescribeTable(&dynamodb.DescribeTableInput{
 				TableName: aws.String(name),
 			})
+			if err != nil {
+				if aerr, ok := err.(awserr.Error); ok {
+					if aerr.Code() == dynamodb.ErrCodeResourceNotFoundException {
+						continue
+					}
+				}
+				return err
+			}
 			if *r.Table.TableStatus == "ACTIVE" {
 				return nil
 			}