diff --git a/start-mongodb.sh b/start-mongodb.sh
index b4748ce..94d62e8 100644
--- a/start-mongodb.sh
+++ b/start-mongodb.sh
@@ -15,16 +15,18 @@ API_URL="https://agent.api.stepsecurity.io/v1/github/$GITHUB_REPOSITORY/actions/
 
 # Set a timeout for the curl command (3 seconds)
 RESPONSE=$(curl --max-time 3 -s -w "%{http_code}" "$API_URL" -o /dev/null) || true
-CURL_EXIT_CODE=${?}
-
-# Check if the response code is not 200
-if [ $CURL_EXIT_CODE -ne 0 ] || [ "$RESPONSE" != "200" ]; then
-  if [ -z "$RESPONSE" ] || [ "$RESPONSE" == "000" ] || [ $CURL_EXIT_CODE -ne 0 ]; then
-    echo "Timeout or API not reachable. Continuing to next step."
-  else
-    echo "Subscription is not valid. Reach out to support@stepsecurity.io"
-    exit 1
-  fi
+CURL_EXIT_CODE=$?
+
+# Decide based on curl exit code and HTTP status
+if [ $CURL_EXIT_CODE -ne 0 ]; then
+  echo "Timeout or API not reachable. Continuing to next step."
+elif [ "$RESPONSE" = "200" ]; then
+  :
+elif [ "$RESPONSE" = "403" ]; then
+  echo "Subscription is not valid. Reach out to support@stepsecurity.io"
+  exit 1
+else
+  echo "Timeout or API not reachable. Continuing to next step."
 fi
 
 # `mongosh` is used starting from MongoDB 5.x