diff --git a/stack_orchestrator/deploy/images.py b/stack_orchestrator/deploy/images.py
index d4a2d6b4..bf322656 100644
--- a/stack_orchestrator/deploy/images.py
+++ b/stack_orchestrator/deploy/images.py
@@ -32,9 +32,13 @@ def _image_needs_pushed(image: str):
 def remote_image_exists(local_tag: str, remote_repo_url: str):
     docker = DockerClient()
     try:
-        result = docker.manifest.inspect(remote_tag_for_image(local_tag, remote_repo_url))
+        remote_tag = remote_tag_for_image(local_tag, remote_repo_url)
+        print(f"local tag: {local_tag} ; remote tag: {remote_tag}")
+        result = docker.manifest.inspect(remote_tag)
+        print(result)
         return True if result else False
-    except:  # noqa: E722
+    except Exception as e:  # noqa: E722
+        print(e)
         return False
 
 
diff --git a/stack_orchestrator/deploy/webapp/deploy_webapp_from_registry.py b/stack_orchestrator/deploy/webapp/deploy_webapp_from_registry.py
index 51bd32a3..63437c17 100644
--- a/stack_orchestrator/deploy/webapp/deploy_webapp_from_registry.py
+++ b/stack_orchestrator/deploy/webapp/deploy_webapp_from_registry.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import click
 
 from stack_orchestrator import constants
 from stack_orchestrator.deploy.images import remote_image_exists
+from stack_orchestrator.deploy.spec import Spec
 from stack_orchestrator.deploy.webapp import deploy_webapp
 from stack_orchestrator.deploy.webapp.util import (LaconicRegistryClient,
                                                    build_container_image, push_container_image,
@@ -109,9 +110,8 @@ def process_app_deployment_request(
     needs_k8s_deploy = False
     # 6. build container (if needed)
     if not deployment_record or deployment_record.attributes.application != app.id:
-        print(ctx)
         # check if the image already exists
-        if force_rebuild or not remote_image_exists(deployment_container_tag, ctx.spec[constants.image_registry_key]):
+        if force_rebuild or not remote_image_exists(deployment_container_tag, image_registry):
             # TODO: pull from request
             extra_build_args = []
             build_container_image(app, deployment_container_tag, extra_build_args, log_file)