diff --git a/litellm/llms/base_llm/decisions/transformation.py b/litellm/llms/base_llm/decisions/transformation.py
index b3df4654a6b..e8e4b77e757 100644
--- a/litellm/llms/base_llm/decisions/transformation.py
+++ b/litellm/llms/base_llm/decisions/transformation.py
@@ -657,8 +657,8 @@ class BaseDecisionsConfig(ABC):
         raw_response: httpx.Response,
         request: DecisionsIRRequest,
     ) -> DecisionsIRResponse:
-        payload: Final[object] = _PAYLOAD_ADAPTER.validate_json(raw_response.content)
         try:
+            payload: Final[object] = _PAYLOAD_ADAPTER.validate_json(raw_response.content)
             return self.parse_response(payload, request)
         except ValidationError as error:
             raise DecisionsResponseValidationError(
diff --git a/tests/unit/llms/base_llm/decisions/test_transform_decisions_response_non_json.py b/tests/unit/llms/base_llm/decisions/test_transform_decisions_response_non_json.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e80d15f57d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/llms/base_llm/decisions/test_transform_decisions_response_non_json.py
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+from typing import cast
+
+import httpx
+import pytest
+
+from litellm.llms.base_llm.decisions.transformation import (
+    BaseDecisionsConfig,
+    DecisionsResponseValidationError,
+)
+from litellm.types.decisions import DecisionsIRRequest
+
+
+def test_transform_decisions_response_wraps_non_json_body():
+    """Regression for #48660: a non-JSON response body raised an unhandled
+    pydantic ValidationError because `validate_json` ran outside the
+    try/except. It must surface as DecisionsResponseValidationError instead."""
+    config = BaseDecisionsConfig()
+    raw_response = httpx.Response(status_code=502, content=b"<html>Bad Gateway</html>")
+
+    with pytest.raises(DecisionsResponseValidationError):
+        config.transform_decisions_response(
+            model="jev-latest",
+            custom_llm_provider="systemone",
+            raw_response=raw_response,
+            request=cast(DecisionsIRRequest, None),
+        )