diff --git a/openslides/users/models.py b/openslides/users/models.py
index 933839e2d..361d47c3b 100644
--- a/openslides/users/models.py
+++ b/openslides/users/models.py
@@ -254,7 +254,8 @@ class User(RESTModelMixin, PermissionsMixin, AbstractBaseUser):
         except smtplib.SMTPDataError as e:
             error = e.smtp_code
             helptext = ""
-            if error == 554:
+            if error == 554:  # The server does not accept our connection. The code is
+                # something like "transaction failed" or "No SMTP service here"
                 helptext = " Is the email sender correct?"
             connection.close()
             raise ValidationError(
@@ -262,6 +263,13 @@ class User(RESTModelMixin, PermissionsMixin, AbstractBaseUser):
             )
         except smtplib.SMTPRecipientsRefused:
             pass  # Run into returning false later
+        except smtplib.SMTPAuthenticationError as e:
+            # Nice error message on auth failure
+            raise ValidationError(
+                {
+                    "detail": f"Error {e.smtp_code}: Authentication failure. Please contact your local administrator."
+                }
+            )
         else:
             if count == 1:
                 self.email_send = True
diff --git a/openslides/users/views.py b/openslides/users/views.py
index 6116a7572..1b53d63c3 100644
--- a/openslides/users/views.py
+++ b/openslides/users/views.py
@@ -665,7 +665,21 @@ class PasswordResetView(APIView):
             subject = "".join(subject.splitlines())
             from_email = None  # TODO: Add nice from_email here.
             email_message = mail.EmailMessage(subject, body, from_email, [to_email])
-            email_message.send()
+            try:
+                email_message.send()
+            except smtplib.SMTPRecipientsRefused:
+                raise ValidationError(
+                    {
+                        "detail": f"Error: The email to {to_email} was refused by the server. Please contact your local administrator."
+                    }
+                )
+            except smtplib.SMTPAuthenticationError as e:
+                # Nice error message on auth failure
+                raise ValidationError(
+                    {
+                        "detail": f"Error {e.smtp_code}: Authentication failure. Please contact your administrator."
+                    }
+                )
         return super().post(request, *args, **kwargs)
 
     def get_users(self, email):