diff --git a/elasticsearch/connection/base.py b/elasticsearch/connection/base.py
index 3a962c9b..bc50f5f1 100644
--- a/elasticsearch/connection/base.py
+++ b/elasticsearch/connection/base.py
@@ -77,6 +77,9 @@ class Connection(object):
 
     def log_request_fail(self, method, full_url, body, duration, status_code=None, response=None, exception=None):
         """ Log an unsuccessful API call.  """
+        # do not log 404s on HEAD requests
+        if method == 'HEAD' and status_code == 404:
+            return
         logger.warning(
             '%s %s [status:%s request:%.3fs]', method, full_url,
             status_code or 'N/A', duration, exc_info=exception is not None
diff --git a/test_elasticsearch/test_connection.py b/test_elasticsearch/test_connection.py
index 9900c4ae..db3cd53e 100644
--- a/test_elasticsearch/test_connection.py
+++ b/test_elasticsearch/test_connection.py
@@ -126,6 +126,12 @@ class TestRequestsConnection(TestCase):
         con = self._get_mock_connection(status_code=400)
         self.assertRaises(RequestError, con.perform_request, 'GET', '/', {}, '')
 
+    @patch('elasticsearch.connection.base.logger')
+    def test_head_with_404_doesnt_get_logged(self, logger):
+        con = self._get_mock_connection(status_code=404)
+        self.assertRaises(NotFoundError, con.perform_request, 'HEAD', '/', {}, '')
+        self.assertEquals(0, logger.warning.call_count)
+
     @patch('elasticsearch.connection.base.tracer')
     @patch('elasticsearch.connection.base.logger')
     def test_failed_request_logs_and_traces(self, logger, tracer):