diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/activity_pub_controller.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/activity_pub_controller.ex
index cdd054e1a..a08eda5f4 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/activity_pub_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/activity_pub_controller.ex
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.ActivityPubController do
       post_inbox_relayed_create(conn, params)
     else
       conn
-      |> put_status(:bad_request)
+      |> put_status(403)
       |> json("Not federating")
     end
   end