diff --git a/adafruit_esp32spi/adafruit_esp32spi.py b/adafruit_esp32spi/adafruit_esp32spi.py
index fd34782..ea21bd1 100644
--- a/adafruit_esp32spi/adafruit_esp32spi.py
+++ b/adafruit_esp32spi/adafruit_esp32spi.py
@@ -766,7 +766,10 @@ def get_time(self):
         """The current unix timestamp"""
         if self.status == WL_CONNECTED:
             resp = self._send_command_get_response(_GET_TIME)
-            return struct.unpack('<i', resp[0])
+            resp_time = struct.unpack('<i', resp[0])
+            if resp_time == (0,):
+                raise ValueError("_GET_TIME returned 0")
+            return resp_time
         if self.status in (WL_AP_LISTENING, WL_AP_CONNECTED):
             raise RuntimeError("Cannot obtain NTP while in AP mode, must be connected to internet")
         raise RuntimeError("Must be connected to WiFi before obtaining NTP.")