diff --git a/scripts/generate.py b/scripts/generate.py
index 8bf0f3d..24f586f 100644
--- a/scripts/generate.py
+++ b/scripts/generate.py
@@ -119,7 +119,10 @@ def regen_all(src_top, dest_top, *, docs=None, db=None):
         cur.execute('DELETE FROM note_search;')
         cleaned_db = True
     except sqlite3.OperationalError as err:
-        logging.warning("Error pre-cleaning DB, search won't be updated")
+        if WATCH:
+            logging.warning("Error pre-cleaning DB, search won't be updated")
+        else:
+            raise
 
     docs = load_all(src_top)
     doc_to_headline_remapping = {}