diff --git a/cloud/amazon/s3.py b/cloud/amazon/s3.py
index 0f91f4ba457..ad8ed0d028c 100644
--- a/cloud/amazon/s3.py
+++ b/cloud/amazon/s3.py
@@ -320,8 +320,8 @@ def main():
 
     # Look at s3_url and tweak connection settings
     # if connecting to Walrus or fakes3
-    if is_fakes3(s3_url):
-        try:
+    try:
+        if is_fakes3(s3_url):
             fakes3 = urlparse.urlparse(s3_url)
             s3 = boto.connect_s3(
                 aws_access_key,
@@ -330,19 +330,22 @@ def main():
                 host=fakes3.hostname,
                 port=fakes3.port,
                 calling_format=OrdinaryCallingFormat())
-        except boto.exception.NoAuthHandlerFound, e:
-            module.fail_json(msg = str(e))
-    elif is_walrus(s3_url):
-        try:
+        elif is_walrus(s3_url):
             walrus = urlparse.urlparse(s3_url).hostname
             s3 = boto.connect_walrus(walrus, aws_access_key, aws_secret_key)
-        except boto.exception.NoAuthHandlerFound, e:
-            module.fail_json(msg = str(e))
-    else:
-        try:
+        else:
             s3 = boto.s3.connect_to_region(location, aws_access_key_id=aws_access_key, aws_secret_access_key=aws_secret_key, is_secure=True, calling_format=OrdinaryCallingFormat())
-        except boto.exception.NoAuthHandlerFound, e:
-            module.fail_json(msg = str(e))
+            # use this as fallback because connect_to_region seems to fail in boto + non 'classic' aws accounts in some cases
+            if s3 is None:
+                s3 = boto.connect_s3(aws_access_key, aws_secret_key)
+
+    except boto.exception.NoAuthHandlerFound, e:
+        module.fail_json(msg='No Authentication Handler found: %s ' % str(e))
+    except Exception, e:
+        module.fail_json(msg='Failed to connect to S3: %s' % str(e))
+
+    if s3 is None: # this should never happen
+        module.fail_json(msg ='Unknown error, failed to create s3 connection, no information from boto.')
 
     # If our mode is a GET operation (download), go through the procedure as appropriate ...
     if mode == 'get':