diff --git a/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/shield/authz/AuthorizationException.java b/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/shield/authz/AuthorizationException.java
index a808d3ffbaa..655eaa4142d 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/shield/authz/AuthorizationException.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/shield/authz/AuthorizationException.java
@@ -22,6 +22,6 @@ public class AuthorizationException extends org.elasticsearch.shield.SecurityExc
 
     @Override
     public RestStatus status() {
-        return RestStatus.UNAUTHORIZED;
+        return RestStatus.FORBIDDEN;
     }
 }