diff --git a/src/base.py b/src/base.py
index 1c413e6cc..c8541c0d9 100644
--- a/src/base.py
+++ b/src/base.py
@@ -92,8 +92,7 @@ def validate_url(url):
         return False
     try:
         r = requests.head(url)
-        if r.status_code != 200:
-            return False
+        r.raise_for_status()
     except Exception as e:
         logging.error(f'Error accessing URL: {e}')
         return False
diff --git a/src/trigger.py b/src/trigger.py
index edb7c6356..9bdbcbe74 100755
--- a/src/trigger.py
+++ b/src/trigger.py
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ def _run_trigger(self, build_config, force, timeout, trees):
                 branches = response.json()
                 latest = sorted(branches, key=lambda x: x['date'], reverse=True)[0]
                 tree = build_config.tree.name
-                print(f"NIPA Latest branch: {latest['branch']} Date: {latest['date']}"
-                      f" Tree: {tree}")
+                self.log.info(f"NIPA Latest branch: {latest['branch']} Date: {latest['date']}"
+                              f" Tree: {tree}")
                 build_config._branch = latest['branch']
 
             head_commit = kernelci.build.get_branch_head(build_config)