diff --git a/djangoldp_project/permissions.py b/djangoldp_project/permissions.py
index 42faa306226ef39cea375ae6090257912b7b1559..2ed29609236c0376cb462d01401e5d4d7bbf24a7 100644
--- a/djangoldp_project/permissions.py
+++ b/djangoldp_project/permissions.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 from djangoldp.permissions import LDPPermissions
+from rest_framework.exceptions import PermissionDenied
 
 
 # auxiliary function tests user is an admin for specified project
@@ -38,10 +39,10 @@ class ProjectPermissions(LDPPermissions):
 
         # other members can perform GET only
         if request.method != 'GET':
-            return False
+            raise PermissionDenied(detail='You must be an admin to perform this action')
 
         if not Member.objects.filter(user=request.user, project=obj).exists():
-            return False
+            raise PermissionDenied(detail='You must be a member of this project to perform this action')
 
         return super().has_object_permission(request, view, obj)
 
@@ -61,7 +62,10 @@ class ProjectMemberPermissions(LDPPermissions):
         # only admins can add new members to a project
         if request.method == 'POST':
             obj = Model.resolve_id(request._request.path)
-            return is_user_admin_of_project(request.user, obj.project)
+            if is_user_admin_of_project(request.user, obj.project):
+                return True
+            else:
+                raise PermissionDenied(detail='You must be an admin to perform this action')
 
         return super().has_permission(request, view)
 
@@ -76,11 +80,12 @@ class ProjectMemberPermissions(LDPPermissions):
                 # I cannot remove myself if I am the last admin
                 if obj.pk == request.user.pk:
                     if obj.project.get_admins().count() == 1:
-                        return False
+                        raise PermissionDenied(detail='To leave this project, you must first set up a new administrator'
+                                                      ' through the project panel')
 
                 # I cannot remove another admin
                 elif obj.is_admin:
-                    return False
+                    raise PermissionDenied(detail='You cannot remove another admin')
 
             return True