diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_backup.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_backup.go
index 4a5d8acd7..9957b5784 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_backup.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_backup.go
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was a fatal error (no snapshot created).
 Exit status is 3 if some source data could not be read (incomplete snapshot created).
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	PreRun: func(_ *cobra.Command, _ []string) {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_cat.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_cat.go
index 46cd0ad6f..693c26790 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_cat.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_cat.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_check.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_check.go
index f6f7c5563..9cccc0609 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_check.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_check.go
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_copy.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_copy.go
index 158409f61..d7761174a 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_copy.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_copy.go
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_debug.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_debug.go
index 044bf3af5..74c21df24 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_debug.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_debug.go
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_diff.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_diff.go
index b7c1036c4..6488a7c35 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_diff.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_diff.go
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_dump.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_dump.go
index 7a7c3850b..7e1efa3ae 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_dump.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_dump.go
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_find.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_find.go
index 8978297a0..4f9549ca4 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_find.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_find.go
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_forget.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_forget.go
index 104a75a78..87738b518 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_forget.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_forget.go
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_add.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_add.go
index 66fdfd184..c9f0ef233 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_add.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_add.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 	`,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_list.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_list.go
index 679348969..ae751a487 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_list.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_list.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 	`,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_passwd.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_passwd.go
index e2c23f9cb..723acaaab 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_passwd.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_passwd.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 	`,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_remove.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_remove.go
index 761ed5b6d..c4c24fdb7 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_remove.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_remove.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 	`,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_list.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_list.go
index 8a884ab8c..060bca871 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_list.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_list.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_ls.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_ls.go
index 115cc49e3..d9a3b0fb8 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_ls.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_ls.go
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_migrate.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_migrate.go
index f591a1b21..e89980050 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_migrate.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_migrate.go
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_mount.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_mount.go
index 52dbf4dac..3e0b159be 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_mount.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_mount.go
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_prune.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_prune.go
index 36226a16b..7e706ccf8 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_prune.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_prune.go
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_recover.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_recover.go
index 13b0ee536..5e4744bb6 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_recover.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_recover.go
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_index.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_index.go
index 9d0dd32b3..e6b6e9fa5 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_index.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_index.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_packs.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_packs.go
index c75c65915..b0afefb2d 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_packs.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_packs.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_snapshots.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_snapshots.go
index dc844c35a..fc221ebea 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_snapshots.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_snapshots.go
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go
index c783a81a6..89942f4cf 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_rewrite.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_rewrite.go
index 07fcf3e67..73bc32f6f 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_rewrite.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_rewrite.go
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_self_update.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_self_update.go
index ce7f8ca99..0fce41241 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_self_update.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_self_update.go
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_snapshots.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_snapshots.go
index c043d7167..9112e1b95 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_snapshots.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_snapshots.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_stats.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_stats.go
index 1b00dbfba..8a78d57f7 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_stats.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_stats.go
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_tag.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_tag.go
index f3c98c27d..ea73955f0 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_tag.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_tag.go
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ EXIT STATUS
 
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
 Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/global.go b/cmd/restic/global.go
index cd6a683bf..be485dc3b 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/global.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/global.go
@@ -43,6 +43,10 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/term"
 )
 
+// ErrNoRepository is used to report if opening a repsitory failed due
+// to a missing backend storage location or config file
+var ErrNoRepository = errors.New("repository does not exist")
+
 var version = "0.16.5-dev (compiled manually)"
 
 // TimeFormat is the format used for all timestamps printed by restic.
@@ -607,6 +611,9 @@ func innerOpen(ctx context.Context, s string, gopts GlobalOptions, opts options.
 		be, err = factory.Open(ctx, cfg, rt, lim)
 	}
 
+	if errors.Is(err, backend.ErrNoRepository) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Fatal: %w at %v: %v", ErrNoRepository, location.StripPassword(gopts.backends, s), err)
+	}
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Fatalf("unable to open repository at %v: %v", location.StripPassword(gopts.backends, s), err)
 	}
@@ -635,6 +642,9 @@ func open(ctx context.Context, s string, gopts GlobalOptions, opts options.Optio
 
 	// check if config is there
 	fi, err := be.Stat(ctx, backend.Handle{Type: restic.ConfigFile})
+	if be.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Fatal: %w: unable to open config file: %v\nIs there a repository at the following location?\n%v", ErrNoRepository, err, location.StripPassword(gopts.backends, s))
+	}
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Fatalf("unable to open config file: %v\nIs there a repository at the following location?\n%v", err, location.StripPassword(gopts.backends, s))
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/restic/main.go b/cmd/restic/main.go
index c61ce6cf3..5818221a5 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/main.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/main.go
@@ -156,6 +156,8 @@ func main() {
 		exitCode = 0
 	case err == ErrInvalidSourceData:
 		exitCode = 3
+	case errors.Is(err, ErrNoRepository):
+		exitCode = 10
 	case restic.IsAlreadyLocked(err):
 		exitCode = 11
 	case errors.Is(err, context.Canceled):
diff --git a/internal/backend/b2/b2.go b/internal/backend/b2/b2.go
index 1a5e72aaa..9717cdd0e 100644
--- a/internal/backend/b2/b2.go
+++ b/internal/backend/b2/b2.go
@@ -100,7 +100,9 @@ func Open(ctx context.Context, cfg Config, rt http.RoundTripper) (backend.Backen
 	}
 
 	bucket, err := client.Bucket(ctx, cfg.Bucket)
-	if err != nil {
+	if b2.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return nil, backend.ErrNoRepository
+	} else if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "Bucket")
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/backend/backend.go b/internal/backend/backend.go
index 3b0599c30..f606e1123 100644
--- a/internal/backend/backend.go
+++ b/internal/backend/backend.go
@@ -2,10 +2,13 @@ package backend
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"hash"
 	"io"
 )
 
+var ErrNoRepository = fmt.Errorf("repository does not exist")
+
 // Backend is used to store and access data.
 //
 // Backend operations that return an error will be retried when a Backend is