diff --git a/freqtrade/exchange/bittrex.py b/freqtrade/exchange/bittrex.py
index aa74cba80..1a0a035a9 100644
--- a/freqtrade/exchange/bittrex.py
+++ b/freqtrade/exchange/bittrex.py
@@ -39,6 +39,15 @@ class Bittrex(Exchange):
             api_version=API_V2_0,
         )
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _validate_response(response) -> None:
+        """
+        Validates the given bittrex response
+        and raises a ContentDecodingError if a non-fatal issue happened.
+        """
+        if response['message'] == 'NO_API_RESPONSE':
+            raise ContentDecodingError('Unable to decode bittrex response')
+
     @property
     def fee(self) -> float:
         # See https://bittrex.com/fees
@@ -47,6 +56,7 @@ class Bittrex(Exchange):
     def buy(self, pair: str, rate: float, amount: float) -> str:
         data = _API.buy_limit(pair.replace('_', '-'), amount, rate)
         if not data['success']:
+            Bittrex._validate_response(data)
             raise OperationalException('{message} params=({pair}, {rate}, {amount})'.format(
                 message=data['message'],
                 pair=pair,
@@ -57,6 +67,7 @@ class Bittrex(Exchange):
     def sell(self, pair: str, rate: float, amount: float) -> str:
         data = _API.sell_limit(pair.replace('_', '-'), amount, rate)
         if not data['success']:
+            Bittrex._validate_response(data)
             raise OperationalException('{message} params=({pair}, {rate}, {amount})'.format(
                 message=data['message'],
                 pair=pair,
@@ -67,6 +78,7 @@ class Bittrex(Exchange):
     def get_balance(self, currency: str) -> float:
         data = _API.get_balance(currency)
         if not data['success']:
+            Bittrex._validate_response(data)
             raise OperationalException('{message} params=({currency})'.format(
                 message=data['message'],
                 currency=currency))
@@ -75,12 +87,14 @@ class Bittrex(Exchange):
     def get_balances(self):
         data = _API.get_balances()
         if not data['success']:
+            Bittrex._validate_response(data)
             raise OperationalException('{message}'.format(message=data['message']))
         return data['result']
 
     def get_ticker(self, pair: str) -> dict:
         data = _API.get_ticker(pair.replace('_', '-'))
         if not data['success']:
+            Bittrex._validate_response(data)
             raise OperationalException('{message} params=({pair})'.format(
                 message=data['message'],
                 pair=pair))
@@ -122,6 +136,7 @@ class Bittrex(Exchange):
                         pair=pair))
 
         if not data['success']:
+            Bittrex._validate_response(data)
             raise OperationalException('{message} params=({pair})'.format(
                 message=data['message'],
                 pair=pair))
@@ -131,6 +146,7 @@ class Bittrex(Exchange):
     def get_order(self, order_id: str) -> Dict:
         data = _API.get_order(order_id)
         if not data['success']:
+            Bittrex._validate_response(data)
             raise OperationalException('{message} params=({order_id})'.format(
                 message=data['message'],
                 order_id=order_id))
@@ -149,6 +165,7 @@ class Bittrex(Exchange):
     def cancel_order(self, order_id: str) -> None:
         data = _API.cancel(order_id)
         if not data['success']:
+            Bittrex._validate_response(data)
             raise OperationalException('{message} params=({order_id})'.format(
                 message=data['message'],
                 order_id=order_id))
@@ -159,18 +176,21 @@ class Bittrex(Exchange):
     def get_markets(self) -> List[str]:
         data = _API.get_markets()
         if not data['success']:
+            Bittrex._validate_response(data)
             raise OperationalException('{message}'.format(message=data['message']))
         return [m['MarketName'].replace('-', '_') for m in data['result']]
 
     def get_market_summaries(self) -> List[Dict]:
         data = _API.get_market_summaries()
         if not data['success']:
+            Bittrex._validate_response(data)
             raise OperationalException('{message}'.format(message=data['message']))
         return data['result']
 
     def get_wallet_health(self) -> List[Dict]:
         data = _API_V2.get_wallet_health()
         if not data['success']:
+            Bittrex._validate_response(data)
             raise OperationalException('{message}'.format(message=data['message']))
         return [{
             'Currency': entry['Health']['Currency'],