diff --git a/deploy/subscriptions.crd.yaml b/deploy/subscriptions.crd.yaml
index 258f9cee..79816fb1 100644
--- a/deploy/subscriptions.crd.yaml
+++ b/deploy/subscriptions.crd.yaml
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ spec:
     singular: subscription
     shortNames:
     - sub
+    - subs
   preserveUnknownFields: false
   scope: Namespaced
   versions:
@@ -53,6 +54,9 @@ spec:
                 ready:
                   description: Whether the subscription is ready to be consumed.
                   type: boolean
+                failed:
+                  description: Indicates that the operator was unable to deploy a pipeline for this subscription.
+                  type: boolean
                 message:
                   description: Error or success message, for information only.
                   type: string
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Acl.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Acl.java
index 3e86c93d..54de616a 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Acl.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Acl.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
  * Access control rule (colloquially, an Acl)
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Access control rule (colloquially, an Acl)")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1Acl implements io.kubernetes.client.common.KubernetesObject {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION = "apiVersion";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclList.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclList.java
index 0165ef5d..5987ebe6 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclList.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclList.java
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
  * AclList is a list of Acl
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "AclList is a list of Acl")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1AclList implements io.kubernetes.client.common.KubernetesListObject {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION = "apiVersion";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpec.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpec.java
index cf872bb2..bfe2c69a 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpec.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpec.java
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
  * A set of related ACL rules.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "A set of related ACL rules.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1AclSpec {
   /**
    * The resource access method.
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpecResource.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpecResource.java
index b14592ab..03d2ddb3 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpecResource.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpecResource.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
  * The resource being controlled.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "The resource being controlled.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1AclSpecResource {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_KIND = "kind";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_KIND)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclStatus.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclStatus.java
index aa7b6ace..92f93a83 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclStatus.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclStatus.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
  * Status, as set by the operator.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Status, as set by the operator.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1AclStatus {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_MESSAGE = "message";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_MESSAGE)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopic.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopic.java
index 8422cbd9..a0d61ab2 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopic.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopic.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
  * Kafka Topic
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Kafka Topic")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1KafkaTopic implements io.kubernetes.client.common.KubernetesObject {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION = "apiVersion";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicList.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicList.java
index 5847d750..24f482d9 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicList.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicList.java
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
  * KafkaTopicList is a list of KafkaTopic
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "KafkaTopicList is a list of KafkaTopic")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1KafkaTopicList implements io.kubernetes.client.common.KubernetesListObject {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION = "apiVersion";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpec.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpec.java
index d1baaa77..48cf1ef0 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpec.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpec.java
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
  * Desired Kafka topic configuration.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Desired Kafka topic configuration.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpec {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_CLIENT_CONFIGS = "clientConfigs";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_CLIENT_CONFIGS)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecClientConfigs.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecClientConfigs.java
index 1a4f08a5..f1774fbd 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecClientConfigs.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecClientConfigs.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 /**
  * V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecClientConfigs
  */
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecClientConfigs {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_CONFIG_MAP_REF = "configMapRef";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_CONFIG_MAP_REF)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecConfigMapRef.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecConfigMapRef.java
index f6e312af..27dd1fb6 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecConfigMapRef.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecConfigMapRef.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
  * Reference to a ConfigMap to use for AdminClient configuration.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Reference to a ConfigMap to use for AdminClient configuration.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecConfigMapRef {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_NAME = "name";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_NAME)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicStatus.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicStatus.java
index d4ff69fa..62e2db1f 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicStatus.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicStatus.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
  * Current state of the topic.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Current state of the topic.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1KafkaTopicStatus {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_MESSAGE = "message";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_MESSAGE)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Subscription.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Subscription.java
index 00fb8f1f..c4033cd6 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Subscription.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Subscription.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
  * Hoptimator Subscription
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Hoptimator Subscription")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1Subscription implements io.kubernetes.client.common.KubernetesObject {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION = "apiVersion";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionList.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionList.java
index 7d973850..b2836647 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionList.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionList.java
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
  * SubscriptionList is a list of Subscription
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "SubscriptionList is a list of Subscription")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1SubscriptionList implements io.kubernetes.client.common.KubernetesListObject {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION = "apiVersion";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionSpec.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionSpec.java
index 1145306c..6ad76935 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionSpec.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionSpec.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
  * Subscription spec
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Subscription spec")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1SubscriptionSpec {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_DATABASE = "database";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_DATABASE)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.java
index 9a62fcad..261bcdbe 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.java
@@ -30,8 +30,12 @@
  * Filled in by the operator.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Filled in by the operator.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-07-21T22:04:16.918Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus {
+  public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_FAILED = "failed";
+  @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_FAILED)
+  private Boolean failed;
+
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_MESSAGE = "message";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_MESSAGE)
   private String message;
@@ -49,6 +53,29 @@ public class V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus {
   private String sql;
 
 
+  public V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus failed(Boolean failed) {
+    
+    this.failed = failed;
+    return this;
+  }
+
+   /**
+   * Indicates that the operator was unable to deploy a pipeline for this subscription.
+   * @return failed
+  **/
+  @javax.annotation.Nullable
+  @ApiModelProperty(value = "Indicates that the operator was unable to deploy a pipeline for this subscription.")
+
+  public Boolean getFailed() {
+    return failed;
+  }
+
+
+  public void setFailed(Boolean failed) {
+    this.failed = failed;
+  }
+
+
   public V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus message(String message) {
     
     this.message = message;
@@ -158,7 +185,8 @@ public boolean equals(Object o) {
       return false;
     }
     V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus = (V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus) o;
-    return Objects.equals(this.message, v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.message) &&
+    return Objects.equals(this.failed, v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.failed) &&
+        Objects.equals(this.message, v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.message) &&
         Objects.equals(this.ready, v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.ready) &&
         Objects.equals(this.resources, v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.resources) &&
         Objects.equals(this.sql, v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.sql);
@@ -166,7 +194,7 @@ public boolean equals(Object o) {
 
   @Override
   public int hashCode() {
-    return Objects.hash(message, ready, resources, sql);
+    return Objects.hash(failed, message, ready, resources, sql);
   }
 
 
@@ -174,6 +202,7 @@ public int hashCode() {
   public String toString() {
     StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
     sb.append("class V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus {\n");
+    sb.append("    failed: ").append(toIndentedString(failed)).append("\n");
     sb.append("    message: ").append(toIndentedString(message)).append("\n");
     sb.append("    ready: ").append(toIndentedString(ready)).append("\n");
     sb.append("    resources: ").append(toIndentedString(resources)).append("\n");
diff --git a/hoptimator-operator/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/operator/subscription/SubscriptionReconciler.java b/hoptimator-operator/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/operator/subscription/SubscriptionReconciler.java
index e9bde8a4..fc2e772d 100644
--- a/hoptimator-operator/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/operator/subscription/SubscriptionReconciler.java
+++ b/hoptimator-operator/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/operator/subscription/SubscriptionReconciler.java
@@ -86,39 +86,49 @@ public Result reconcile(Request request) {
         // Phase 1
         log.info("Planning a new pipeline for {}/{} with SQL `{}`...", kind, name, object.getSpec().getSql());
 
-        Pipeline pipeline = pipeline(object);
-        Resource.Environment subEnv = new SubscriptionEnvironment(namespace, name, pipeline)
-          .orElse(environment);
-        Resource.TemplateFactory templateFactory = new Resource.SimpleTemplateFactory(subEnv);
-
-        // For sink resources, also expose hints.
-        Resource.TemplateFactory sinkTemplateFactory = new Resource.SimpleTemplateFactory(subEnv
-          .orElse(new Resource.SimpleEnvironment(map(object.getSpec().getHints()))));
- 
-        // Render resources related to all source tables.
-        List<String> upstreamResources = pipeline.upstreamResources().stream()
-          .map(x -> x.render(templateFactory))
-          .collect(Collectors.toList());
-
-        // Render the SQL job
-        String sqlJob = pipeline.sqlJob().render(templateFactory);
-
-        // Render resources related to the sink table. For these resources, we pass along any
-        // "hints" as part of the environment.
-        List<String> downstreamResources = pipeline.downstreamResources().stream()
-          .map(x -> x.render(sinkTemplateFactory))
-          .collect(Collectors.toList());
-
-        List<String> combined = new ArrayList<>();
-        combined.addAll(upstreamResources);
-        combined.add(sqlJob);
-        combined.addAll(downstreamResources);
-
-        status.setResources(combined);
-
-        status.setSql(object.getSpec().getSql());
-        status.setReady(null);  // null indicates that pipeline needs to be deployed
-        status.setMessage("Planned.");
+        try {
+          Pipeline pipeline = pipeline(object);
+          Resource.Environment subEnv = new SubscriptionEnvironment(namespace, name, pipeline)
+            .orElse(environment);
+          Resource.TemplateFactory templateFactory = new Resource.SimpleTemplateFactory(subEnv);
+
+          // For sink resources, also expose hints.
+          Resource.TemplateFactory sinkTemplateFactory = new Resource.SimpleTemplateFactory(subEnv
+            .orElse(new Resource.SimpleEnvironment(map(object.getSpec().getHints()))));
+   
+          // Render resources related to all source tables.
+          List<String> upstreamResources = pipeline.upstreamResources().stream()
+            .map(x -> x.render(templateFactory))
+            .collect(Collectors.toList());
+
+          // Render the SQL job
+          String sqlJob = pipeline.sqlJob().render(templateFactory);
+
+          // Render resources related to the sink table. For these resources, we pass along any
+          // "hints" as part of the environment.
+          List<String> downstreamResources = pipeline.downstreamResources().stream()
+            .map(x -> x.render(sinkTemplateFactory))
+            .collect(Collectors.toList());
+
+          List<String> combined = new ArrayList<>();
+          combined.addAll(upstreamResources);
+          combined.add(sqlJob);
+          combined.addAll(downstreamResources);
+
+          status.setResources(combined);
+
+          status.setSql(object.getSpec().getSql());
+          status.setReady(null);  // null indicates that pipeline needs to be deployed
+          status.setFailed(null);
+          status.setMessage("Planned.");
+        } catch (Exception e) {
+          log.error("Encountered error when planning a pipeline for {}/{} with SQL `{}`.", kind, name,
+            object.getSpec().getSql(), e);
+
+          // Mark the Subscription as failed.
+          status.setFailed(true);
+          status.setMessage("Error: " + e.getMessage());
+        }
       } else if (status.getReady() == null && status.getResources() != null) {
         // Phase 2
         log.info("Deploying pipeline for {}/{}...", kind, name);
@@ -128,6 +138,7 @@ public Result reconcile(Request request) {
 
         if (deployed) {
           status.setReady(false);
+          status.setFailed(false);
           status.setMessage("Deployed.");
         } else {
           return new Result(true, operator.failureRetryDuration());
@@ -140,11 +151,13 @@ public Result reconcile(Request request) {
 
         if (ready) {
           status.setReady(true);
+          status.setFailed(false);
           status.setMessage("Ready.");
           log.info("{}/{} is ready.", kind, name);
           result = new Result(false);
         } else {
           status.setReady(false);
+          status.setFailed(false);
           status.setMessage("Deployed.");
           log.info("Pipeline for {}/{} is NOT ready.", kind, name);
         }
@@ -277,10 +290,6 @@ public static Controller controller(Operator operator, HoptimatorPlanner.Factory
       .withReconciler(reconciler)
       .withName("subscription-controller")
       .withWorkerCount(1)
-      //.withReadyFunc(resourceInformer::hasSynced) // optional, only starts controller when the
-      // cache has synced up
-      //.withWorkQueue(resourceWorkQueue)
-      //.watch()
       .watch(x -> ControllerBuilder.controllerWatchBuilder(V1alpha1Subscription.class, x).build())
       .build();
   }