diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/alias.c b/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/alias.c
index d37dfeb3ab..bab9105a8e 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/alias.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/alias.c
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ Entry *deref_internal_r(
 		|| ( alias == NULL && dn_in != NULL ) );
 
 	*matched = NULL;
-	*err = LDAP_SUCCESS;
+	*err = LDAP_NO_SUCH_OBJECT;
 	*text = NULL;
 
 	if( alias == NULL ) {