diff --git a/src/xrpld/app/misc/CredentialHelpers.cpp b/src/xrpld/app/misc/CredentialHelpers.cpp
index 2982efdd1a..89822522b5 100644
--- a/src/xrpld/app/misc/CredentialHelpers.cpp
+++ b/src/xrpld/app/misc/CredentialHelpers.cpp
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ verifyDomain(
     {
         auto sleCredential = view.read(keylet::credential(h));
         if (!sleCredential)
-            return tefINTERNAL;
+            continue;  // expired, i.e. deleted in credentials::removeExpired
 
         if (sleCredential->getFlags() & lsfAccepted)
             return tesSUCCESS;