diff --git a/osc/connection.py b/osc/connection.py
index 2ffbcb3e..ea655898 100644
--- a/osc/connection.py
+++ b/osc/connection.py
@@ -390,12 +390,13 @@ def http_request(method: str, url: str, headers=None, data=None, file=None):
             data.seek(0)
         response = pool.urlopen(method, urlopen_url, body=data, headers=headers, preload_content=False)
 
-    if response.status / 100 != 2:
-        raise urllib.error.HTTPError(url, response.status, response.reason, response.headers, response)
-
+    # we want to save a session cookie before an exception is raised on failed requests
     for handler in auth_handlers:
         handler.process_response(url, headers, response)
 
+    if response.status / 100 != 2:
+        raise urllib.error.HTTPError(url, response.status, response.reason, response.headers, response)
+
     return response