diff --git a/.github/workflows/check-links.yml b/.github/workflows/check-links.yml
index 2f6630a2bb2c..0bccf03f0415 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check-links.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check-links.yml
@@ -49,7 +49,14 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - uses: actions/download-artifact@v3
         with: { name: build-log-etc }
-      - run: npm run diff:fail
+      - name: Fail when refcache contains entries with HTTP status 4XX
+        run: |
+          if grep -B 1 -e '"StatusCode": 4' static/refcache.json; then
+            echo "Run 'npx gulp prune' to remove 4xx entries from the refcache"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+      - name: Does the refcache need updating?
+        run: npm run diff:fail
 
   check-build-log-for-issues:
     name: WARNINGS in build log?