diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-bdb/referral.c b/servers/slapd/back-bdb/referral.c
index 3fe4e34605..c52288bc26 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-bdb/referral.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-bdb/referral.c
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ dn2entry_retry:
 
 		if( rs->sr_ref != NULL ) {
 			/* send referrals */
-			rs->sr_err = LDAP_REFERRAL;
+			rc = rs->sr_err = LDAP_REFERRAL;
 			send_ldap_result( op, rs );
 			ber_bvarray_free( rs->sr_ref );
 			rs->sr_ref = NULL;