diff --git a/cmd/notary/tuf.go b/cmd/notary/tuf.go
index 9bafb8c565..3c68dc0bc5 100644
--- a/cmd/notary/tuf.go
+++ b/cmd/notary/tuf.go
@@ -426,7 +426,9 @@ func tokenAuth(config *viper.Viper, baseTransport *http.Transport, gun string,
 	}
 	resp, err := pingClient.Do(req)
 	if err != nil {
-		fatalf(err.Error())
+		logrus.Errorf("could not reach %s: %s", trustServerURL, err.Error())
+		logrus.Info("continuing in offline mode")
+		return nil
 	}
 	defer resp.Body.Close()
 
diff --git a/tuf/store/httpstore.go b/tuf/store/httpstore.go
index 63f9a57f16..2c4e67b875 100644
--- a/tuf/store/httpstore.go
+++ b/tuf/store/httpstore.go
@@ -85,6 +85,9 @@ func NewHTTPStore(baseURL, metaPrefix, metaExtension, targetsPrefix, keyExtensio
 	if !base.IsAbs() {
 		return nil, errors.New("HTTPStore requires an absolute baseURL")
 	}
+	if roundTrip == nil {
+		return &OfflineStore{}, nil
+	}
 	return &HTTPStore{
 		baseURL:       *base,
 		metaPrefix:    metaPrefix,