diff --git a/relay.go b/relay.go
index dacfd8b..2d84d47 100644
--- a/relay.go
+++ b/relay.go
@@ -305,10 +305,11 @@ func (r *Relay) Publish(ctx context.Context, event Event) (Status, error) {
 	// publish event
 	message := []any{"EVENT", event}
 	debugLog("{%s} sending %v\n", r.URL, message)
+	status = PublishStatusSent
 	if err := r.Connection.WriteJSON(message); err != nil {
+		status = PublishStatusFailed
 		return status, err
 	}
-	status = PublishStatusSent
 
 	sub := r.PrepareSubscription(ctx)
 	sub.SetLabel("publish-check")
diff --git a/relay_test.go b/relay_test.go
index 48b4e18..287505d 100644
--- a/relay_test.go
+++ b/relay_test.go
@@ -87,7 +87,27 @@ func TestPublishBlocked(t *testing.T) {
 	rl := mustRelayConnect(ws.URL)
 	status, _ := rl.Publish(context.Background(), textNote)
 	if status != PublishStatusFailed {
-		t.Errorf("published status is %d, not %d", status, PublishStatusSucceeded)
+		t.Errorf("published status is %d, not %d", status, PublishStatusFailed)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPublishWriteFailed(t *testing.T) {
+	// test note to be sent over websocket
+	textNote := Event{Kind: 1, Content: "hello"}
+	textNote.ID = textNote.GetID()
+
+	// fake relay server
+	ws := newWebsocketServer(func(conn *websocket.Conn) {
+		// reject receive - force send error
+		conn.Close()
+	})
+	defer ws.Close()
+
+	// connect a client and send a text note
+	rl := mustRelayConnect(ws.URL)
+	status, _ := rl.Publish(context.Background(), textNote)
+	if status != PublishStatusFailed {
+		t.Errorf("published status is %d, not %d", status, PublishStatusFailed)
 	}
 }