diff --git a/app/controllers/projects/git_http_controller.rb b/app/controllers/projects/git_http_controller.rb
index 073c76933c1..b6b62da7b60 100644
--- a/app/controllers/projects/git_http_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/projects/git_http_controller.rb
@@ -1,36 +1,27 @@
 class Projects::GitHttpController < Projects::GitHttpClientController
   include WorkhorseRequest
 
+  before_action :access_check
+
+  rescue_from Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, with: :render_403
+  rescue_from Gitlab::GitAccess::NotFoundError, with: :render_404
+
   # GET /foo/bar.git/info/refs?service=git-upload-pack (git pull)
   # GET /foo/bar.git/info/refs?service=git-receive-pack (git push)
   def info_refs
-    if upload_pack? && upload_pack_allowed?
-      log_user_activity
+    log_user_activity if upload_pack?
 
-      render_ok
-    elsif receive_pack? && receive_pack_allowed?
-      render_ok
-    else
-      render_denied
-    end
+    render_ok
   end
 
   # POST /foo/bar.git/git-upload-pack (git pull)
   def git_upload_pack
-    if upload_pack? && upload_pack_allowed?
-      render_ok
-    else
-      render_denied
-    end
+    render_ok
   end
 
   # POST /foo/bar.git/git-receive-pack" (git push)
   def git_receive_pack
-    if receive_pack? && receive_pack_allowed?
-      render_ok
-    else
-      render_denied
-    end
+    render_ok
   end
 
   private
@@ -43,10 +34,6 @@ class Projects::GitHttpController < Projects::GitHttpClientController
     git_command == 'git-upload-pack'
   end
 
-  def receive_pack?
-    git_command == 'git-receive-pack'
-  end
-
   def git_command
     if action_name == 'info_refs'
       params[:service]
@@ -60,16 +47,12 @@ class Projects::GitHttpController < Projects::GitHttpClientController
     render json: Gitlab::Workhorse.git_http_ok(repository, wiki?, user, action_name)
   end
 
-  def render_denied
-    if access_check.message == Gitlab::GitAccess::ERROR_MESSAGES[:project_not_found]
-      render plain: access_check.message, status: :not_found
-    else
-      render plain: access_check.message, status: :forbidden
-    end
+  def render_403(exception)
+    render plain: exception.message, status: :forbidden
   end
 
-  def upload_pack_allowed?
-    access_check.allowed?
+  def render_404(exception)
+    render plain: exception.message, status: :not_found
   end
 
   def access
@@ -84,11 +67,7 @@ class Projects::GitHttpController < Projects::GitHttpClientController
   def access_check
     # Use the magic string '_any' to indicate we do not know what the
     # changes are. This is also what gitlab-shell does.
-    @access_check ||= access.check(git_command, '_any')
-  end
-
-  def receive_pack_allowed?
-    access_check.allowed?
+    access.check(git_command, '_any')
   end
 
   def access_klass
diff --git a/lib/api/internal.rb b/lib/api/internal.rb
index 9ebd4841296..3d60d1da114 100644
--- a/lib/api/internal.rb
+++ b/lib/api/internal.rb
@@ -32,30 +32,32 @@ module API
 
         actor.update_last_used_at if actor.is_a?(Key)
 
-        access_checker = wiki? ? Gitlab::GitAccessWiki : Gitlab::GitAccess
-        access_status = access_checker
+        access_checker_klass = wiki? ? Gitlab::GitAccessWiki : Gitlab::GitAccess
+        access_checker = access_checker_klass
           .new(actor, project, protocol, authentication_abilities: ssh_authentication_abilities)
-          .check(params[:action], params[:changes])
 
-        response = { status: access_status.status, message: access_status.message }
-
-        if access_status.status
-          log_user_activity(actor)
-
-          # Project id to pass between components that don't share/don't have
-          # access to the same filesystem mounts
-          response[:gl_repository] = Gitlab::GlRepository.gl_repository(project, wiki?)
-
-          # Return the repository full path so that gitlab-shell has it when
-          # handling ssh commands
-          response[:repository_path] =
-            if wiki?
-              project.wiki.repository.path_to_repo
-            else
-              project.repository.path_to_repo
-            end
+        begin
+          access_status = access_checker.check(params[:action], params[:changes])
+          response = { status: access_status.status, message: access_status.message }
+        rescue Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, Gitlab::GitAccess::NotFoundError => e
+          return { status: false, message: e.message }
         end
 
+        log_user_activity(actor)
+
+        # Project id to pass between components that don't share/don't have
+        # access to the same filesystem mounts
+        response[:gl_repository] = Gitlab::GlRepository.gl_repository(project, wiki?)
+
+        # Return the repository full path so that gitlab-shell has it when
+        # handling ssh commands
+        response[:repository_path] =
+          if wiki?
+            project.wiki.repository.path_to_repo
+          else
+            project.repository.path_to_repo
+          end
+
         response
       end
 
diff --git a/lib/gitlab/checks/change_access.rb b/lib/gitlab/checks/change_access.rb
index 4b6f8abd61d..e9782623be5 100644
--- a/lib/gitlab/checks/change_access.rb
+++ b/lib/gitlab/checks/change_access.rb
@@ -33,20 +33,18 @@ module Gitlab
       def exec
         return GitAccessStatus.new(true) if skip_authorization
 
-        error = push_checks || branch_checks || tag_checks
+        push_checks
+        branch_checks
+        tag_checks
 
-        if error
-          GitAccessStatus.new(false, error)
-        else
-          GitAccessStatus.new(true)
-        end
+        GitAccessStatus.new(true)
       end
 
       protected
 
       def push_checks
         if user_access.cannot_do_action?(:push_code)
-          ERROR_MESSAGES[:push_code]
+          raise GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:push_code]
         end
       end
 
@@ -54,7 +52,7 @@ module Gitlab
         return unless @branch_name
 
         if deletion? && @branch_name == project.default_branch
-          return ERROR_MESSAGES[:delete_default_branch]
+          raise GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:delete_default_branch]
         end
 
         protected_branch_checks
@@ -64,7 +62,7 @@ module Gitlab
         return unless ProtectedBranch.protected?(project, @branch_name)
 
         if forced_push?
-          return ERROR_MESSAGES[:force_push_protected_branch]
+          raise GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:force_push_protected_branch]
         end
 
         if deletion?
@@ -76,22 +74,22 @@ module Gitlab
 
       def protected_branch_deletion_checks
         unless user_access.can_delete_branch?(@branch_name)
-          return ERROR_MESSAGES[:non_master_delete_protected_branch]
+          raise GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:non_master_delete_protected_branch]
         end
 
         unless protocol == 'web'
-          ERROR_MESSAGES[:non_web_delete_protected_branch]
+          raise GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:non_web_delete_protected_branch]
         end
       end
 
       def protected_branch_push_checks
         if matching_merge_request?
           unless user_access.can_merge_to_branch?(@branch_name) || user_access.can_push_to_branch?(@branch_name)
-            ERROR_MESSAGES[:merge_protected_branch]
+            raise GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:merge_protected_branch]
           end
         else
           unless user_access.can_push_to_branch?(@branch_name)
-            ERROR_MESSAGES[:push_protected_branch]
+            raise GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:push_protected_branch]
           end
         end
       end
@@ -100,7 +98,7 @@ module Gitlab
         return unless @tag_name
 
         if tag_exists? && user_access.cannot_do_action?(:admin_project)
-          return ERROR_MESSAGES[:change_existing_tags]
+          raise GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:change_existing_tags]
         end
 
         protected_tag_checks
@@ -109,11 +107,11 @@ module Gitlab
       def protected_tag_checks
         return unless ProtectedTag.protected?(project, @tag_name)
 
-        return ERROR_MESSAGES[:update_protected_tag] if update?
-        return ERROR_MESSAGES[:delete_protected_tag] if deletion?
+        raise(GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:update_protected_tag]) if update?
+        raise(GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:delete_protected_tag]) if deletion?
 
         unless user_access.can_create_tag?(@tag_name)
-          return ERROR_MESSAGES[:create_protected_tag]
+          raise GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:create_protected_tag]
         end
       end
 
diff --git a/lib/gitlab/git_access.rb b/lib/gitlab/git_access.rb
index 1ffac5385c2..f43359d7dbd 100644
--- a/lib/gitlab/git_access.rb
+++ b/lib/gitlab/git_access.rb
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 module Gitlab
   class GitAccess
     UnauthorizedError = Class.new(StandardError)
+    NotFoundError = Class.new(StandardError)
 
     ERROR_MESSAGES = {
       upload: 'You are not allowed to upload code for this project.',
@@ -47,8 +48,6 @@ module Gitlab
       end
 
       build_status_object(true)
-    rescue UnauthorizedError => ex
-      build_status_object(false, ex.message)
     end
 
     def guest_can_download_code?
@@ -90,7 +89,7 @@ module Gitlab
 
     def check_project_accessibility!
       if project.blank? || !can_read_project?
-        raise UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:project_not_found]
+        raise NotFoundError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:project_not_found]
       end
     end
 
@@ -234,8 +233,8 @@ module Gitlab
         end
     end
 
-    def build_status_object(status, message = '')
-      Gitlab::GitAccessStatus.new(status, message)
+    def build_status_object(status)
+      Gitlab::GitAccessStatus.new(status)
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/lib/gitlab/git_access_status.rb b/lib/gitlab/git_access_status.rb
index 09bb01be694..94edf80c0f6 100644
--- a/lib/gitlab/git_access_status.rb
+++ b/lib/gitlab/git_access_status.rb
@@ -7,9 +7,5 @@ module Gitlab
       @status = status
       @message = message
     end
-
-    def to_json(opts = nil)
-      { status: @status, message: @message }.to_json(opts)
-    end
   end
 end
diff --git a/lib/gitlab/git_access_wiki.rb b/lib/gitlab/git_access_wiki.rb
index dccafd2cae8..4c87482430f 100644
--- a/lib/gitlab/git_access_wiki.rb
+++ b/lib/gitlab/git_access_wiki.rb
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ module Gitlab
       if user_access.can_do_action?(:create_wiki)
         build_status_object(true)
       else
-        build_status_object(false, ERROR_MESSAGES[:write_to_wiki])
+        raise UnauthorizedError, ERROR_MESSAGES[:write_to_wiki]
       end
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/lib/gitlab/checks/change_access_spec.rb b/spec/lib/gitlab/checks/change_access_spec.rb
index 8d81ed5856e..c0c309d8179 100644
--- a/spec/lib/gitlab/checks/change_access_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/lib/gitlab/checks/change_access_spec.rb
@@ -23,29 +23,27 @@ describe Gitlab::Checks::ChangeAccess, lib: true do
     before { project.add_developer(user) }
 
     context 'without failed checks' do
-      it "doesn't return any error" do
-        expect(subject.status).to be(true)
+      it "doesn't raise an error" do
+        expect { subject }.not_to raise_error
       end
     end
 
     context 'when the user is not allowed to push code' do
-      it 'returns an error' do
+      it 'raises an error' do
         expect(user_access).to receive(:can_do_action?).with(:push_code).and_return(false)
 
-        expect(subject.status).to be(false)
-        expect(subject.message).to eq('You are not allowed to push code to this project.')
+        expect { subject }.to raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, 'You are not allowed to push code to this project.')
       end
     end
 
     context 'tags check' do
       let(:ref) { 'refs/tags/v1.0.0' }
 
-      it 'returns an error if the user is not allowed to update tags' do
+      it 'raises an error if the user is not allowed to update tags' do
         allow(user_access).to receive(:can_do_action?).with(:push_code).and_return(true)
         expect(user_access).to receive(:can_do_action?).with(:admin_project).and_return(false)
 
-        expect(subject.status).to be(false)
-        expect(subject.message).to eq('You are not allowed to change existing tags on this project.')
+        expect { subject }.to raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, 'You are not allowed to change existing tags on this project.')
       end
 
       context 'with protected tag' do
@@ -59,8 +57,7 @@ describe Gitlab::Checks::ChangeAccess, lib: true do
             let(:newrev) { '0000000000000000000000000000000000000000' }
 
             it 'is prevented' do
-              expect(subject.status).to be(false)
-              expect(subject.message).to include('cannot be deleted')
+              expect { subject }.to raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, /cannot be deleted/)
             end
           end
 
@@ -69,8 +66,7 @@ describe Gitlab::Checks::ChangeAccess, lib: true do
             let(:newrev) { '54fcc214b94e78d7a41a9a8fe6d87a5e59500e51' }
 
             it 'is prevented' do
-              expect(subject.status).to be(false)
-              expect(subject.message).to include('cannot be updated')
+              expect { subject }.to raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, /cannot be updated/)
             end
           end
         end
@@ -81,15 +77,14 @@ describe Gitlab::Checks::ChangeAccess, lib: true do
           let(:ref) { 'refs/tags/v9.1.0' }
 
           it 'prevents creation below access level' do
-            expect(subject.status).to be(false)
-            expect(subject.message).to include('allowed to create this tag as it is protected')
+            expect { subject }.to raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, /allowed to create this tag as it is protected/)
           end
 
           context 'when user has access' do
             let!(:protected_tag) { create(:protected_tag, :developers_can_create, project: project, name: 'v*') }
 
             it 'allows tag creation' do
-              expect(subject.status).to be(true)
+              expect { subject }.not_to raise_error
             end
           end
         end
@@ -101,9 +96,8 @@ describe Gitlab::Checks::ChangeAccess, lib: true do
         let(:newrev) { '0000000000000000000000000000000000000000' }
         let(:ref) { 'refs/heads/master' }
 
-        it 'returns an error' do
-          expect(subject.status).to be(false)
-          expect(subject.message).to eq('The default branch of a project cannot be deleted.')
+        it 'raises an error' do
+          expect { subject }.to raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, 'The default branch of a project cannot be deleted.')
         end
       end
 
@@ -113,27 +107,24 @@ describe Gitlab::Checks::ChangeAccess, lib: true do
           allow(ProtectedBranch).to receive(:protected?).with(project, 'feature').and_return(true)
         end
 
-        it 'returns an error if the user is not allowed to do forced pushes to protected branches' do
+        it 'raises an error if the user is not allowed to do forced pushes to protected branches' do
           expect(Gitlab::Checks::ForcePush).to receive(:force_push?).and_return(true)
 
-          expect(subject.status).to be(false)
-          expect(subject.message).to eq('You are not allowed to force push code to a protected branch on this project.')
+          expect { subject }.to raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, 'You are not allowed to force push code to a protected branch on this project.')
         end
 
-        it 'returns an error if the user is not allowed to merge to protected branches' do
+        it 'raises an error if the user is not allowed to merge to protected branches' do
           expect_any_instance_of(Gitlab::Checks::MatchingMergeRequest).to receive(:match?).and_return(true)
           expect(user_access).to receive(:can_merge_to_branch?).and_return(false)
           expect(user_access).to receive(:can_push_to_branch?).and_return(false)
 
-          expect(subject.status).to be(false)
-          expect(subject.message).to eq('You are not allowed to merge code into protected branches on this project.')
+          expect { subject }.to raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, 'You are not allowed to merge code into protected branches on this project.')
         end
 
-        it 'returns an error if the user is not allowed to push to protected branches' do
+        it 'raises an error if the user is not allowed to push to protected branches' do
           expect(user_access).to receive(:can_push_to_branch?).and_return(false)
 
-          expect(subject.status).to be(false)
-          expect(subject.message).to eq('You are not allowed to push code to protected branches on this project.')
+          expect { subject }.to raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, 'You are not allowed to push code to protected branches on this project.')
         end
 
         context 'branch deletion' do
@@ -141,9 +132,8 @@ describe Gitlab::Checks::ChangeAccess, lib: true do
           let(:ref) { 'refs/heads/feature' }
 
           context 'if the user is not allowed to delete protected branches' do
-            it 'returns an error' do
-              expect(subject.status).to be(false)
-              expect(subject.message).to eq('You are not allowed to delete protected branches from this project. Only a project master or owner can delete a protected branch.')
+            it 'raises an error' do
+              expect { subject }.to raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, 'You are not allowed to delete protected branches from this project. Only a project master or owner can delete a protected branch.')
             end
           end
 
@@ -156,14 +146,13 @@ describe Gitlab::Checks::ChangeAccess, lib: true do
               let(:protocol) { 'web' }
 
               it 'allows branch deletion' do
-                expect(subject.status).to be(true)
+                expect { subject }.not_to raise_error
               end
             end
 
             context 'over SSH or HTTP' do
-              it 'returns an error' do
-                expect(subject.status).to be(false)
-                expect(subject.message).to eq('You can only delete protected branches using the web interface.')
+              it 'raises an error' do
+                expect { subject }.to raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, 'You can only delete protected branches using the web interface.')
               end
             end
           end
diff --git a/spec/lib/gitlab/git_access_spec.rb b/spec/lib/gitlab/git_access_spec.rb
index 0efe15856fc..10a7222c2b6 100644
--- a/spec/lib/gitlab/git_access_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/lib/gitlab/git_access_spec.rb
@@ -18,8 +18,7 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
 
   describe '#check with single protocols allowed' do
     def disable_protocol(protocol)
-      settings = ::ApplicationSetting.create_from_defaults
-      settings.update_attribute(:enabled_git_access_protocol, protocol)
+      allow(Gitlab::ProtocolAccess).to receive(:allowed?).with(protocol).and_return(false)
     end
 
     context 'ssh disabled' do
@@ -28,11 +27,11 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
       end
 
       it 'blocks ssh git push' do
-        expect(access.check('git-receive-pack', '_any').allowed?).to be_falsey
+        expect { push_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('Git access over SSH is not allowed')
       end
 
       it 'blocks ssh git pull' do
-        expect(access.check('git-upload-pack', '_any').allowed?).to be_falsey
+        expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('Git access over SSH is not allowed')
       end
     end
 
@@ -44,11 +43,11 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
       end
 
       it 'blocks http push' do
-        expect(access.check('git-receive-pack', '_any').allowed?).to be_falsey
+        expect { push_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('Git access over HTTP is not allowed')
       end
 
       it 'blocks http git pull' do
-        expect(access.check('git-upload-pack', '_any').allowed?).to be_falsey
+        expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('Git access over HTTP is not allowed')
       end
     end
   end
@@ -64,23 +63,21 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
             before { deploy_key.projects << project }
 
             it 'allows pull access' do
-              expect(pull_access_check.allowed?).to be_truthy
+              expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error
             end
 
             it 'allows push access' do
-              expect(push_access_check.allowed?).to be_truthy
+              expect { push_access_check }.not_to raise_error
             end
           end
 
           context 'when the Deploykey does not have access to the project' do
             it 'blocks pulls with "not found"' do
-              expect(pull_access_check.allowed?).to be_falsey
-              expect(pull_access_check.message).to eq('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
+              expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
             end
 
             it 'blocks pushes with "not found"' do
-              expect(push_access_check.allowed?).to be_falsey
-              expect(push_access_check.message).to eq('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
+              expect { push_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
             end
           end
         end
@@ -90,23 +87,21 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
             before { project.team << [user, :master] }
 
             it 'allows pull access' do
-              expect(pull_access_check.allowed?).to be_truthy
+              expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error
             end
 
             it 'allows push access' do
-              expect(push_access_check.allowed?).to be_truthy
+              expect { push_access_check }.not_to raise_error
             end
           end
 
           context 'when the User cannot read the project' do
             it 'blocks pulls with "not found"' do
-              expect(pull_access_check.allowed?).to be_falsey
-              expect(pull_access_check.message).to eq('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
+              expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
             end
 
             it 'blocks pushes with "not found"' do
-              expect(push_access_check.allowed?).to be_falsey
-              expect(push_access_check.message).to eq('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
+              expect { push_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
             end
           end
         end
@@ -117,12 +112,11 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
           let(:authentication_abilities) { build_authentication_abilities }
 
           it 'allows pull access' do
-            expect(pull_access_check.allowed?).to be_truthy
+            expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error
           end
 
           it 'does not block pushes with "not found"' do
-            expect(push_access_check.allowed?).to be_falsey
-            expect(push_access_check.message).to eq('You are not allowed to upload code for this project.')
+            expect { push_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('You are not allowed to upload code for this project.')
           end
         end
       end
@@ -134,24 +128,21 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
           let(:project) { create(:project, :repository, :public) }
 
           it 'allows pull access' do
-            expect(pull_access_check.allowed?).to be_truthy
+            expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error
           end
 
           it 'does not block pushes with "not found"' do
-            expect(push_access_check.allowed?).to be_falsey
-            expect(push_access_check.message).to eq('You are not allowed to upload code for this project.')
+            expect { push_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('You are not allowed to upload code for this project.')
           end
         end
 
         context 'when guests cannot read the project' do
           it 'blocks pulls with "not found"' do
-            expect(pull_access_check.allowed?).to be_falsey
-            expect(pull_access_check.message).to eq('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
+            expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
           end
 
           it 'blocks pushes with "not found"' do
-            expect(push_access_check.allowed?).to be_falsey
-            expect(push_access_check.message).to eq('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
+            expect { push_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
           end
         end
       end
@@ -161,10 +152,8 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
       let(:project) { nil }
 
       it 'blocks any command with "not found"' do
-        expect(pull_access_check.allowed?).to be_falsey
-        expect(pull_access_check.message).to eq('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
-        expect(push_access_check.allowed?).to be_falsey
-        expect(push_access_check.message).to eq('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
+        expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
+        expect { push_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.')
       end
     end
   end
@@ -181,13 +170,11 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
         end
 
         context 'when calling git-upload-pack' do
-          subject { access.check('git-upload-pack', '_any') }
-          it { expect(subject.allowed?).to be_falsey }
-          it { expect(subject.message).to eq('The command "git-upload-pack" is not allowed.') }
+          it { expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('The command "git-upload-pack" is not allowed.') }
         end
 
         context 'when calling git-receive-pack' do
-          it { expect(access.check('git-receive-pack', '_any').allowed?).to be_truthy }
+          it { expect { push_access_check }.not_to raise_error }
         end
       end
 
@@ -197,26 +184,22 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
         end
 
         context 'when calling git-receive-pack' do
-          subject { access.check('git-receive-pack', '_any') }
-          it { expect(subject.allowed?).to be_falsey }
-          it { expect(subject.message).to eq('The command "git-receive-pack" is not allowed.') }
+          it { expect { push_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('The command "git-receive-pack" is not allowed.') }
         end
 
         context 'when calling git-upload-pack' do
-          it { expect(access.check('git-upload-pack', '_any').allowed?).to be_truthy }
+          it { expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error }
         end
       end
     end
   end
 
   describe '#check_download_access!' do
-    subject { access.check('git-upload-pack', '_any') }
-
     describe 'master permissions' do
       before { project.team << [user, :master] }
 
       context 'pull code' do
-        it { expect(subject.allowed?).to be_truthy }
+        it { expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error }
       end
     end
 
@@ -224,8 +207,7 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
       before { project.team << [user, :guest] }
 
       context 'pull code' do
-        it { expect(subject.allowed?).to be_falsey }
-        it { expect(subject.message).to match(/You are not allowed to download code/) }
+        it { expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('You are not allowed to download code from this project.') }
       end
     end
 
@@ -236,24 +218,22 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
       end
 
       context 'pull code' do
-        it { expect(subject.allowed?).to be_falsey }
-        it { expect(subject.message).to match(/Your account has been blocked/) }
+        it { expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('Your account has been blocked.') }
       end
     end
 
     describe 'without access to project' do
       context 'pull code' do
-        it { expect(subject.allowed?).to be_falsey }
+        it { expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.') }
       end
 
       context 'when project is public' do
         let(:public_project) { create(:project, :public, :repository) }
-        let(:guest_access) { Gitlab::GitAccess.new(nil, public_project, 'web', authentication_abilities: []) }
-        subject { guest_access.check('git-upload-pack', '_any') }
+        let(:access) { Gitlab::GitAccess.new(nil, public_project, 'web', authentication_abilities: []) }
 
         context 'when repository is enabled' do
           it 'give access to download code' do
-            expect(subject.allowed?).to be_truthy
+            expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error
           end
         end
 
@@ -261,8 +241,7 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
           it 'does not give access to download code' do
             public_project.project_feature.update_attribute(:repository_access_level, ProjectFeature::DISABLED)
 
-            expect(subject.allowed?).to be_falsey
-            expect(subject.message).to match(/You are not allowed to download code/)
+            expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('You are not allowed to download code from this project.')
           end
         end
       end
@@ -276,26 +255,26 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
         context 'when project is authorized' do
           before { key.projects << project }
 
-          it { expect(subject).to be_allowed }
+          it { expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error }
         end
 
         context 'when unauthorized' do
           context 'from public project' do
             let(:project) { create(:project, :public, :repository) }
 
-            it { expect(subject).to be_allowed }
+            it { expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error }
           end
 
           context 'from internal project' do
             let(:project) { create(:project, :internal, :repository) }
 
-            it { expect(subject).not_to be_allowed }
+            it { expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.') }
           end
 
           context 'from private project' do
             let(:project) { create(:project, :private, :repository) }
 
-            it { expect(subject).not_to be_allowed }
+            it { expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.') }
           end
         end
       end
@@ -308,7 +287,7 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
         let(:project) { create(:project, :repository, namespace: user.namespace) }
 
         context 'pull code' do
-          it { expect(subject).to be_allowed }
+          it { expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error }
         end
       end
 
@@ -316,7 +295,7 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
         before { project.team << [user, :reporter] }
 
         context 'pull code' do
-          it { expect(subject).to be_allowed }
+          it { expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error }
         end
       end
 
@@ -327,13 +306,13 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
           before { project.team << [user, :reporter] }
 
           context 'pull code' do
-            it { expect(subject).to be_allowed }
+            it { expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error }
           end
         end
 
         context 'when is not member of the project' do
           context 'pull code' do
-            it { expect(subject).not_to be_allowed }
+            it { expect { pull_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('You are not allowed to download code from this project.') }
           end
         end
       end
@@ -342,7 +321,7 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
         let(:actor) { :ci }
 
         context 'pull code' do
-          it { expect(subject).to be_allowed }
+          it { expect { pull_access_check }.not_to raise_error }
         end
       end
     end
@@ -532,42 +511,32 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
     end
   end
 
-  shared_examples 'pushing code' do |can|
-    subject { access.check('git-receive-pack', '_any') }
+  describe 'build authentication abilities' do
+    let(:authentication_abilities) { build_authentication_abilities }
 
     context 'when project is authorized' do
-      before { authorize }
+      before { project.team << [user, :reporter] }
 
-      it { expect(subject).public_send(can, be_allowed) }
+      it { expect { push_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('You are not allowed to upload code for this project.') }
     end
 
     context 'when unauthorized' do
       context 'to public project' do
         let(:project) { create(:project, :public, :repository) }
 
-        it { expect(subject).not_to be_allowed }
+        it { expect { push_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('You are not allowed to upload code for this project.') }
       end
 
       context 'to internal project' do
         let(:project) { create(:project, :internal, :repository) }
 
-        it { expect(subject).not_to be_allowed }
+        it { expect { push_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('You are not allowed to upload code for this project.') }
       end
 
       context 'to private project' do
         let(:project) { create(:project, :private, :repository) }
 
-        it { expect(subject).not_to be_allowed }
-      end
-    end
-  end
-
-  describe 'build authentication abilities' do
-    let(:authentication_abilities) { build_authentication_abilities }
-
-    it_behaves_like 'pushing code', :not_to do
-      def authorize
-        project.team << [user, :reporter]
+        it { expect { push_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.') }
       end
     end
   end
@@ -579,9 +548,29 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
     context 'when deploy_key can push' do
       let(:can_push) { true }
 
-      it_behaves_like 'pushing code', :to do
-        def authorize
-          key.projects << project
+      context 'when project is authorized' do
+        before { key.projects << project }
+
+        it { expect { push_access_check }.not_to raise_error }
+      end
+
+      context 'when unauthorized' do
+        context 'to public project' do
+          let(:project) { create(:project, :public, :repository) }
+
+          it { expect { push_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('This deploy key does not have write access to this project.') }
+        end
+
+        context 'to internal project' do
+          let(:project) { create(:project, :internal, :repository) }
+
+          it { expect { push_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.') }
+        end
+
+        context 'to private project' do
+          let(:project) { create(:project, :private, :repository) }
+
+          it { expect { push_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.') }
         end
       end
     end
@@ -589,9 +578,29 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
     context 'when deploy_key cannot push' do
       let(:can_push) { false }
 
-      it_behaves_like 'pushing code', :not_to do
-        def authorize
-          key.projects << project
+      context 'when project is authorized' do
+        before { key.projects << project }
+
+        it { expect { push_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('This deploy key does not have write access to this project.') }
+      end
+
+      context 'when unauthorized' do
+        context 'to public project' do
+          let(:project) { create(:project, :public, :repository) }
+
+          it { expect { push_access_check }.to raise_unauthorized('This deploy key does not have write access to this project.') }
+        end
+
+        context 'to internal project' do
+          let(:project) { create(:project, :internal, :repository) }
+
+          it { expect { push_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.') }
+        end
+
+        context 'to private project' do
+          let(:project) { create(:project, :private, :repository) }
+
+          it { expect { push_access_check }.to raise_not_found('The project you were looking for could not be found.') }
         end
       end
     end
@@ -599,6 +608,14 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccess, lib: true do
 
   private
 
+  def raise_unauthorized(message)
+    raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, message)
+  end
+
+  def raise_not_found(message)
+    raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::NotFoundError, message)
+  end
+
   def build_authentication_abilities
     [
       :read_project,
diff --git a/spec/lib/gitlab/git_access_wiki_spec.rb b/spec/lib/gitlab/git_access_wiki_spec.rb
index 1ae293416e4..a1eb95750ba 100644
--- a/spec/lib/gitlab/git_access_wiki_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/lib/gitlab/git_access_wiki_spec.rb
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccessWiki, lib: true do
 
     subject { access.check('git-receive-pack', changes) }
 
-    it { expect(subject.allowed?).to be_truthy }
+    it { expect { subject }.not_to raise_error }
   end
 
   def changes
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccessWiki, lib: true do
 
     context 'when wiki feature is enabled' do
       it 'give access to download wiki code' do
-        expect(subject.allowed?).to be_truthy
+        expect { subject }.not_to raise_error
       end
     end
 
@@ -44,8 +44,7 @@ describe Gitlab::GitAccessWiki, lib: true do
       it 'does not give access to download wiki code' do
         project.project_feature.update_attribute(:wiki_access_level, ProjectFeature::DISABLED)
 
-        expect(subject.allowed?).to be_falsey
-        expect(subject.message).to match(/You are not allowed to download code/)
+        expect { subject }.to raise_error(Gitlab::GitAccess::UnauthorizedError, 'You are not allowed to download code from this project.')
       end
     end
   end