diff --git a/src/workflow/ArcanistDiffWorkflow.php b/src/workflow/ArcanistDiffWorkflow.php
--- a/src/workflow/ArcanistDiffWorkflow.php
+++ b/src/workflow/ArcanistDiffWorkflow.php
@@ -2741,6 +2741,17 @@
         'git push -- %s %s',
         $staging_uri,
         $ref);
+
+      if ($err) {
+        $this->writeWarn(
+          pht('STAGING FAILED'),
+          pht('Unable to push lfs changes to the staging area.'));
+
+        throw new ArcanistUsageException(
+          pht(
+            'Failed to push lfs changes to staging area. Correct the issue, '.
+            'or use --skip-staging to skip this step.'));
+      }
     }
 
     return $refs;