diff --git a/mastodon.go b/mastodon.go
index 94f6a7b..50ba8a9 100644
--- a/mastodon.go
+++ b/mastodon.go
@@ -78,12 +78,17 @@ func (c *Client) Authenticate(username, password string) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/x-www-form-urlencoded")
 	resp, err := c.Do(req)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	defer resp.Body.Close()
 
+	if resp.StatusCode != 200 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("bad authorization: %v", resp.Status)
+	}
+
 	res := struct {
 		AccessToken string `json:"access_token"`
 	}{}