diff --git a/beetsplug/kodiupdate.py b/beetsplug/kodiupdate.py
index 4713151b3..ce5cb478c 100644
--- a/beetsplug/kodiupdate.py
+++ b/beetsplug/kodiupdate.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from __future__ import division, absolute_import, print_function
 import requests
 from beets import config
 from beets.plugins import BeetsPlugin
+import six
 
 
 def update_kodi(host, port, user, password):
@@ -72,16 +73,26 @@ class KodiUpdate(BeetsPlugin):
     def update(self, lib):
         """When the client exists try to send refresh request to Kodi server.
         """
-        self._log.info(u'Updating Kodi library...')
+        self._log.info(u'Requesting a Kodi library update...')
 
         # Try to send update request.
         try:
-            update_kodi(
+            r = update_kodi(
                 config['kodi']['host'].get(),
                 config['kodi']['port'].get(),
                 config['kodi']['user'].get(),
                 config['kodi']['pwd'].get())
-            self._log.info(u'... started.')
+            r.raise_for_status()
 
-        except requests.exceptions.RequestException:
-            self._log.warning(u'Update failed.')
+        except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
+            self._log.warning(u'Kodi update failed: {0}',
+                              six.text_type(e))
+            return
+
+        json = r.json()
+        if json.get('result') != 'OK':
+            self._log.warning(u'Kodi update failed: JSON response was {0!r}',
+                              json)
+            return
+
+        self._log.info(u'Kodi update triggered')