diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-meta/search.c b/servers/slapd/back-meta/search.c
index 94aafeead0..595fde672d 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-meta/search.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-meta/search.c
@@ -323,6 +323,7 @@ other:;
 			LDAP_BACK_CONN_TAINTED_SET( mc );
 			meta_back_release_conn_lock( op, mc, 0 );
 			*mcp = NULL;
+			rs->sr_err = rc;
 
 			retcode = META_SEARCH_ERR;