diff --git a/beetsplug/discogs.py b/beetsplug/discogs.py
index 9765f317f..ac7421c5f 100644
--- a/beetsplug/discogs.py
+++ b/beetsplug/discogs.py
@@ -305,7 +305,14 @@ class DiscogsPlugin(MetadataSourcePlugin):
         # Explicitly reload the `Release` fields, as they might not be yet
         # present if the result is from a `discogs_client.search()`.
         if not result.data.get("artists"):
-            result.refresh()
+            try:
+                result.refresh()
+            except CONNECTION_ERRORS:
+                self._log.debug(
+                    "Connection error in release lookup: {0}",
+                    result,
+                )
+                return None
 
         # Sanity check for required fields. The list of required fields is
         # defined at Guideline 1.3.1.a, but in practice some releases might be
diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index 24938a391..12454d154 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ Bug fixes:
   e.g. non latin characters as 盗作. If you want to keep the legacy behavior
   set the config option ``spotify.search_query_ascii: yes``.
   :bug:`5699`
+* :doc:`plugins/discogs`: Beets will no longer crash if a release has been
+  deleted, and returns a 404.
 
 For packagers: