diff --git a/lib/charms/mongodb/v1/shards_interface.py b/lib/charms/mongodb/v1/shards_interface.py
index 7972f5b48..f12373097 100644
--- a/lib/charms/mongodb/v1/shards_interface.py
+++ b/lib/charms/mongodb/v1/shards_interface.py
@@ -257,6 +257,7 @@ def add_shards(self, departed_shard_id):
             raise ShardAuthError(shard)
 
         logger.error(f"Failed to add {shard} to cluster")
+        raise error
 
     def remove_shards(self, departed_shard_id):
         """Removes shards from cluster.