diff --git a/frigate/http.py b/frigate/http.py
index 1cce6968e..f401e21e6 100644
--- a/frigate/http.py
+++ b/frigate/http.py
@@ -1617,7 +1617,31 @@ def vod_event(id):
     methods=["POST"],
 )
 def export_recording(camera_name: str, start_time, end_time):
-    playback_factor = request.get_json(silent=True).get("playback", "realtime")
+    if not camera_name or not current_app.frigate_config.cameras.get(camera_name):
+        return make_response(
+            jsonify(
+                {"success": False, "message": f"{camera_name} is not a valid camera."}
+            ),
+            404,
+        )
+
+    json: dict[str, any] = request.get_json(silent=True) or {}
+    playback_factor = json.get("playback", "realtime")
+
+    recordings_count = (
+        Recordings.select()
+        .where(
+            Recordings.start_time.between(start_time, end_time)
+            | Recordings.end_time.between(start_time, end_time)
+            | ((start_time > Recordings.start_time) & (end_time < Recordings.end_time))
+        )
+        .where(Recordings.camera == camera_name)
+        .count()
+    )
+
+    if recordings_count <= 0:
+        return "No recordings found for time range", 400
+
     exporter = RecordingExporter(
         current_app.frigate_config,
         camera_name,
diff --git a/web/src/routes/Export.jsx b/web/src/routes/Export.jsx
index 84a0f6009..1cac3c844 100644
--- a/web/src/routes/Export.jsx
+++ b/web/src/routes/Export.jsx
@@ -52,11 +52,17 @@ export default function Export() {
 
     axios
       .post(`export/${camera}/start/${start}/end/${end}`, { playback })
-      .then(() => {
-        setMessage({ text: 'Successfully started export. View the file in the /exports folder.', error: false });
+      .then((response) => {
+        if (response.status == 200) {
+          setMessage({ text: 'Successfully started export. View the file in the /exports folder.', error: false });
+        }
       })
       .catch((error) => {
-        setMessage({ text: `Failed to start export: ${error.response.data.message}`, error: true });
+        if (error.response) {
+          setMessage({ text: `Failed to start export: ${error.response.data.message}`, error: true });
+        } else {
+          setMessage({ text: `Failed to start export: ${error.message}`, error: true });
+        }
       });
   };