diff --git a/plugin/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/ml/action/DeleteModelSnapshotAction.java b/plugin/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/ml/action/DeleteModelSnapshotAction.java
index 9c15f16c031..d638c6f85c9 100644
--- a/plugin/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/ml/action/DeleteModelSnapshotAction.java
+++ b/plugin/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/ml/action/DeleteModelSnapshotAction.java
@@ -164,6 +164,7 @@ public class DeleteModelSnapshotAction extends Action<DeleteModelSnapshotAction.
                         if (deleteCandidates.isEmpty()) {
                             listener.onFailure(new ResourceNotFoundException(Messages.getMessage(Messages.REST_NO_SUCH_MODEL_SNAPSHOT,
                                     request.getSnapshotId(), request.getJobId())));
+                            return;
                         }
                         ModelSnapshot deleteCandidate = deleteCandidates.get(0);