diff --git a/src/reactive/vault_handlers.py b/src/reactive/vault_handlers.py
index e367eb8..bc4339d 100644
--- a/src/reactive/vault_handlers.py
+++ b/src/reactive/vault_handlers.py
@@ -582,7 +582,16 @@ def _assess_status():
     health = None
     if service_running('vault'):
         health = vault.get_vault_health()
+    else:
+        status_set('blocked', 'Vault service not running')
+        return
+
+    if health.get('version'):
         application_version_set(health.get('version'))
+    else:
+        application_version_set('Unknown')
+        status_set('blocked', 'Vault health check failed')
+        return
 
     _missing_interfaces = []
     _incomplete_interfaces = []
diff --git a/unit_tests/test_reactive_vault_handlers.py b/unit_tests/test_reactive_vault_handlers.py
index bcb81af..d04f17d 100644
--- a/unit_tests/test_reactive_vault_handlers.py
+++ b/unit_tests/test_reactive_vault_handlers.py
@@ -315,6 +315,25 @@ class TestHandlers(unit_tests.test_utils.CharmTestCase):
                       incomplete_interfaces=mock.ANY),
         ])
 
+    @patch.object(handlers.vault, 'get_vault_health')
+    def test_assess_status_service_not_running(self, get_vault_health):
+        self.is_flag_set.return_value = False
+        self.service_running.return_value = False
+        handlers._assess_status()
+        self.status_set.assert_called_with(
+            'blocked', 'Vault service not running')
+
+    @patch.object(handlers.vault, 'get_vault_health')
+    def test_assess_status_empty_health(self, get_vault_health):
+        self.is_flag_set.return_value = False
+        self.service_running.return_value = True
+        get_vault_health.return_value = {}
+        handlers._assess_status()
+        self.application_version_set.assert_called_with(
+            'Unknown')
+        self.status_set.assert_called_with(
+            'blocked', 'Vault health check failed')
+
     def test_assess_status_invalid_channel(self):
         statuses = {
             'snap.channel.invalid': True,