diff --git a/test/test_performance.py b/test/test_performance.py
index b115d6d..205dbd4 100644
--- a/test/test_performance.py
+++ b/test/test_performance.py
@@ -399,12 +399,17 @@ def test_performance(self):
         smiles_strings = []
         pubchempy_start = time.time()
         for compound in self.compound_list:
+            # HTTP errors can happen
             for attempt in range(3):
                 try:
                     result = get_compounds(compound, "name")
                     break
                 except PubChemHTTPError:
                     pass
+            # could possibly never get server access
+            if attempt == 2:
+                smiles_strings.append(None)
+                continue
             try:
                 smiles_strings.append(result[0].isomeric_smiles)
             except IndexError: