diff --git a/src/ape/api/providers.py b/src/ape/api/providers.py
index 3a483f245d..ec6fd42df5 100644
--- a/src/ape/api/providers.py
+++ b/src/ape/api/providers.py
@@ -886,7 +886,7 @@ def get_block(self, block_id: BlockID) -> BlockAPI:
         try:
             block_data = dict(self.web3.eth.get_block(block_id))
         except Exception as err:
-            raise BlockNotFoundError(block_id) from err
+            raise BlockNotFoundError(block_id, reason=str(err)) from err
 
         # Some nodes (like anvil) will not have a base fee if set to 0.
         if "baseFeePerGas" in block_data and block_data.get("baseFeePerGas") is None:
diff --git a/src/ape/exceptions.py b/src/ape/exceptions.py
index dbb7bb450d..a900118882 100644
--- a/src/ape/exceptions.py
+++ b/src/ape/exceptions.py
@@ -428,13 +428,21 @@ class BlockNotFoundError(ProviderError):
     Raised when unable to find a block.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, block_id: "BlockID"):
+    def __init__(self, block_id: "BlockID", reason: Optional[str] = None):
         if isinstance(block_id, bytes):
             block_id_str = block_id.hex()
         else:
             block_id_str = str(block_id)
 
-        super().__init__(f"Block with ID '{block_id_str}' not found.")
+        message = (
+            "Missing latest block."
+            if block_id == "latest"
+            else f"Block with ID '{block_id_str}' not found."
+        )
+        if reason:
+            message = f"{message} Reason: {reason}"
+
+        super().__init__(message)
 
 
 class TransactionNotFoundError(ProviderError):