diff --git a/youtube_dl/extractor/bitchute.py b/youtube_dl/extractor/bitchute.py
index 0c773e66e..98f7fedf2 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/extractor/bitchute.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/extractor/bitchute.py
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import re
 
 from .common import InfoExtractor
 from ..utils import (
+    ExtractorError,
+    GeoRestrictedError,
     orderedSet,
     unified_strdate,
     urlencode_postdata,
@@ -59,8 +61,15 @@ class BitChuteIE(InfoExtractor):
             for format_url in orderedSet(format_urls)]
 
         if not formats:
-            formats = self._parse_html5_media_entries(
-                url, webpage, video_id)[0]['formats']
+            entries = self._parse_html5_media_entries(
+                url, webpage, video_id)
+            if not entries:
+                error = self._html_search_regex(r'<h1 class="page-title">([^<]+)</h1>', webpage, 'error', default='Cannot find video')
+                error_detail = self._html_search_regex(r'(?s)</h1>.*<p>([^<]+)</p>', webpage, 'error_detail', default=None)
+                if error_detail == 'This video is unavailable as the contents have been deemed illegal by the authorities within your country.':
+                    raise GeoRestrictedError(error_detail)
+                raise ExtractorError(error_detail or error)
+            formats = entries[0]['formats']
 
         self._check_formats(formats, video_id)
         self._sort_formats(formats)