diff --git a/src/main/java/org/gcube/data/transfer/library/transferers/Transferer.java b/src/main/java/org/gcube/data/transfer/library/transferers/Transferer.java
index 988d2a2..4ab1cbf 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/gcube/data/transfer/library/transferers/Transferer.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/gcube/data/transfer/library/transferers/Transferer.java
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import org.gcube.data.transfer.library.faults.InvalidDestinationException;
 import org.gcube.data.transfer.library.faults.InvalidSourceException;
 import org.gcube.data.transfer.library.faults.RemoteServiceException;
 import org.gcube.data.transfer.library.faults.SourceNotSetException;
+import org.gcube.data.transfer.library.faults.UnreachableNodeException;
 import org.gcube.data.transfer.library.model.LocalSource;
 import org.gcube.data.transfer.library.model.Source;
 import org.gcube.data.transfer.library.model.StorageSource;
@@ -121,9 +122,13 @@ public abstract class Transferer {
 		}
 	}
 
-	protected void checkDestination() throws InvalidDestinationException,DestinationNotSetException{
+	protected void checkDestination() throws InvalidDestinationException,DestinationNotSetException, UnreachableNodeException{
 		if(destination==null) throw new DestinationNotSetException();
-		// perform checks
+		if(!destination.getPersistenceId().equals(Destination.DEFAULT_PERSISTENCE_ID)){
+			Set<String> availablePersistenceIds=getDestinationCapabilities().getAvailablePersistenceIds();
+			if(!availablePersistenceIds.contains(destination.getPersistenceId()))
+				throw new InvalidDestinationException("Declared persistence id "+destination.getPersistenceId()+" not found. Available are "+availablePersistenceIds);
+		}
 	}
 	
 	protected void checkSource() throws SourceNotSetException, InvalidSourceException{
@@ -145,11 +150,11 @@ public abstract class Transferer {
 
 	}
 
-	public TransferCapabilities getDestinationCapabilities() throws InitializationException {
+	public TransferCapabilities getDestinationCapabilities() throws UnreachableNodeException {
 		try{
 			return client.getCapabilties();
 		}catch(Exception e){
-			throw new InitializationException(e);
+			throw new UnreachableNodeException(e);
 		}
 	}