diff --git a/src/main/java/org/jenkinsci/plugins/github_branch_source/GitHubSCMSource.java b/src/main/java/org/jenkinsci/plugins/github_branch_source/GitHubSCMSource.java
index 966a54b367..51695c06c6 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/jenkinsci/plugins/github_branch_source/GitHubSCMSource.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/jenkinsci/plugins/github_branch_source/GitHubSCMSource.java
@@ -1019,6 +1019,9 @@ private void checkApiUrlValidity(GitHub github) throws IOException {
             github.checkApiUrlValidity();
         } catch (HttpException e) {
             String message = String.format("It seems %s is unreachable", apiUri == null ? GITHUB_URL : apiUri);
+            AbortException abortException = new AbortException(message);
+            abortException.initCause(e);
+            LOGGER.log(Level.WARNING, "Issue while checking GitHub URL validity", e);
             throw new AbortException(message);
         }
     }