diff --git a/static/app.js b/static/app.js
index fdee292..2f8cf58 100644
--- a/static/app.js
+++ b/static/app.js
@@ -118,14 +118,28 @@ function attachEventListeners() {
       const relUrl = this.getAttribute('data-url');
       if (fileType === 'music') {
         const mediaUrl = '/media/' + relUrl;
-        const audioPlayer = document.getElementById('globalAudio');
-        audioPlayer.src = mediaUrl;
-        audioPlayer.load();
-        audioPlayer.play();
-        document.getElementById('nowPlayingInfo').textContent = relUrl;
-        document.querySelector('footer').style.display = 'flex';
+        // Check if the media URL is forbidden
+        fetch(mediaUrl, { method: 'HEAD' })
+          .then(response => {
+            if (response.status === 403) {
+              // Redirect to the root if a 403 status is returned
+              window.location.href = '/';
+            } else {
+              // Otherwise, play the audio
+              const audioPlayer = document.getElementById('globalAudio');
+              audioPlayer.src = mediaUrl;
+              audioPlayer.load();
+              audioPlayer.play();
+              document.getElementById('nowPlayingInfo').textContent = relUrl;
+              document.querySelector('footer').style.display = 'flex';
+            }
+          })
+          .catch(error => {
+            console.error('Error fetching media:', error);
+            // Optionally handle network errors here
+          });
       } else if (fileType === 'image') {
-        // Open gallery modal via gallery.js function.
+        // Open the gallery modal for image files
         openGalleryModal(relUrl);
       }
     });