diff --git a/HISTORY.md b/HISTORY.md
index 33666930..b5fce2bd 100644
--- a/HISTORY.md
+++ b/HISTORY.md
@@ -9,6 +9,16 @@ The third number is for emergencies when we need to start branches for older rel
 
 Our backwards-compatibility policy can be found [here](https://github.com/python-attrs/cattrs/blob/main/.github/SECURITY.md).
 
+
+## 24.2.0 (UNRELEASED)
+
+- **Potentially breaking**: The converters raise {class}`StructureHandlerNotFoundError` more eagerly (on hook creation, instead of on hook use).
+  This helps surfacing problems with missing hooks sooner.
+  See [Migrations](https://catt.rs/latest/migrations.html#the-default-structure-hook-fallback-factory) for steps to restore legacy behavior.
+  ([#577](https://github.com/python-attrs/cattrs/pull/577))
+- Add a [Migrations](https://catt.rs/latest/migrations.html) page, with instructions on migrating changed behavior for each version.
+  ([#577](https://github.com/python-attrs/cattrs/pull/577))
+
 ## 24.1.2 (2024-09-22)
 
 - Fix {meth}`BaseConverter.register_structure_hook` and {meth}`BaseConverter.register_unstructure_hook` type hints.
diff --git a/docs/index.md b/docs/index.md
index d8c2505b..e41634c7 100644
--- a/docs/index.md
+++ b/docs/index.md
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ validation
 preconf
 unions
 usage
+migrations
 indepth
 ```
 
diff --git a/docs/migrations.md b/docs/migrations.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..aabe9bde
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/migrations.md
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# Migrations
+
+_cattrs_ sometimes changes in backwards-incompatible ways.
+This page contains guidance for changes and workarounds for restoring legacy behavior.
+
+## 24.2.0
+
+### The default structure hook fallback factory
+
+The default structure hook fallback factory was changed to more eagerly raise errors for missing hooks.
+
+The old behavior can be restored by explicitly passing in the old hook fallback factory when instantiating the converter.
+
+
+```python
+>>> from cattrs.fns import raise_error
+
+>>> c = Converter(structure_fallback_factory=lambda _: raise_error)
+# Or
+>>> c = BaseConverter(structure_fallback_factory=lambda _: raise_error)
+```
diff --git a/src/cattrs/converters.py b/src/cattrs/converters.py
index 1490ec26..4f291e7a 100644
--- a/src/cattrs/converters.py
+++ b/src/cattrs/converters.py
@@ -182,7 +182,9 @@ def __init__(
         prefer_attrib_converters: bool = False,
         detailed_validation: bool = True,
         unstructure_fallback_factory: HookFactory[UnstructureHook] = lambda _: identity,
-        structure_fallback_factory: HookFactory[StructureHook] = lambda _: raise_error,
+        structure_fallback_factory: HookFactory[StructureHook] = lambda t: raise_error(
+            None, t
+        ),
     ) -> None:
         """
         :param detailed_validation: Whether to use a slightly slower mode for detailed
@@ -194,6 +196,9 @@ def __init__(
 
         ..  versionadded:: 23.2.0 *unstructure_fallback_factory*
         ..  versionadded:: 23.2.0 *structure_fallback_factory*
+        ..  versionchanged:: 24.2.0
+            The default `structure_fallback_factory` now raises errors for missing handlers
+            more eagerly, surfacing problems earlier.
         """
         unstruct_strat = UnstructureStrategy(unstruct_strat)
         self._prefer_attrib_converters = prefer_attrib_converters
@@ -1045,7 +1050,9 @@ def __init__(
         prefer_attrib_converters: bool = False,
         detailed_validation: bool = True,
         unstructure_fallback_factory: HookFactory[UnstructureHook] = lambda _: identity,
-        structure_fallback_factory: HookFactory[StructureHook] = lambda _: raise_error,
+        structure_fallback_factory: HookFactory[StructureHook] = lambda t: raise_error(
+            None, t
+        ),
     ):
         """
         :param detailed_validation: Whether to use a slightly slower mode for detailed
@@ -1057,6 +1064,9 @@ def __init__(
 
         ..  versionadded:: 23.2.0 *unstructure_fallback_factory*
         ..  versionadded:: 23.2.0 *structure_fallback_factory*
+        ..  versionchanged:: 24.2.0
+            The default `structure_fallback_factory` now raises errors for missing handlers
+            more eagerly, surfacing problems earlier.
         """
         super().__init__(
             dict_factory=dict_factory,
diff --git a/src/cattrs/gen/_shared.py b/src/cattrs/gen/_shared.py
index 4e631437..904c7744 100644
--- a/src/cattrs/gen/_shared.py
+++ b/src/cattrs/gen/_shared.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 from .._compat import is_bare_final
 from ..dispatch import StructureHook
+from ..errors import StructureHandlerNotFoundError
 from ..fns import raise_error
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -27,9 +28,14 @@ def find_structure_handler(
         elif (
             a.converter is not None and not prefer_attrs_converters and type is not None
         ):
-            handler = c.get_structure_hook(type, cache_result=False)
-            if handler == raise_error:
+            try:
+                handler = c.get_structure_hook(type, cache_result=False)
+            except StructureHandlerNotFoundError:
                 handler = None
+            else:
+                # The legacy way, should still work.
+                if handler == raise_error:
+                    handler = None
         elif type is not None:
             if (
                 is_bare_final(type)
diff --git a/tests/test_converter.py b/tests/test_converter.py
index 47e70edc..92c9bbb3 100644
--- a/tests/test_converter.py
+++ b/tests/test_converter.py
@@ -721,6 +721,18 @@ class Outer:
     assert structured == Outer(Inner(2), [Inner(2)], Inner(2))
 
 
+def test_default_structure_fallback(converter_cls: Type[BaseConverter]):
+    """The default structure fallback hook factory eagerly errors."""
+
+    class Test:
+        """Unsupported by default."""
+
+    c = converter_cls()
+
+    with pytest.raises(StructureHandlerNotFoundError):
+        c.get_structure_hook(Test)
+
+
 def test_unstructure_fallbacks(converter_cls: Type[BaseConverter]):
     """Unstructure fallback factories work."""