diff --git a/rasa/nlu/classifiers/llm_flow_classifier.py b/rasa/nlu/classifiers/llm_flow_classifier.py
index e8bd9a04449a..4b715009f1d9 100644
--- a/rasa/nlu/classifiers/llm_flow_classifier.py
+++ b/rasa/nlu/classifiers/llm_flow_classifier.py
@@ -154,9 +154,11 @@ def process_single(
 
     @classmethod
     def parse_action_list(
-        cls, actions: str, tracker: DialogueStateTracker, flows: FlowsList
+        cls, actions: Optional[str], tracker: DialogueStateTracker, flows: FlowsList
     ) -> Tuple[str, List[Tuple[str, str]]]:
         """Parse the actions returned by the llm into intent and entities."""
+        if not actions:
+            return "openai_error", []
         start_flow_actions = []
         slot_sets = []
         cancel_flow = False
diff --git a/rasa/utils/llm.py b/rasa/utils/llm.py
index f9dd42a81c1e..9e1dc1ea1391 100644
--- a/rasa/utils/llm.py
+++ b/rasa/utils/llm.py
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 from typing import Optional
 import openai
 import logging
-
+import openai.error
+import structlog
 from rasa.shared.core.events import BotUttered, UserUttered
 
 from rasa.shared.core.trackers import DialogueStateTracker
 
-logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+structlogger = structlog.get_logger()
 
 USER = "USER"
 
@@ -35,12 +36,16 @@ def generate_text_openai_chat(
         The generated text.
     """
     # TODO: exception handling
-    chat_completion = openai.ChatCompletion.create(  # type: ignore[no-untyped-call]
-        model=model,
-        messages=[{"role": "user", "content": prompt}],
-        temperature=temperature,
-    )
-    return chat_completion.choices[0].message.content
+    try:
+        chat_completion = openai.ChatCompletion.create(  # type: ignore[no-untyped-call]
+            model=model,
+            messages=[{"role": "user", "content": prompt}],
+            temperature=temperature,
+        )
+        return chat_completion.choices[0].message.content
+    except openai.error.OpenAIError as e:
+        structlogger.exception("openai.generate.error", model=model, prompt=prompt)
+        return None
 
 
 def tracker_as_readable_transcript(