diff --git a/src/ripple/app/tx/impl/DeleteAccount.cpp b/src/ripple/app/tx/impl/DeleteAccount.cpp
index d6d75e129..9b93cb9ec 100644
--- a/src/ripple/app/tx/impl/DeleteAccount.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/app/tx/impl/DeleteAccount.cpp
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ removeGeneric(
             (*sleDel)[sfOwnerNode],
             sleDel->key(),
             false))
-        return tecINTERNAL;
+        return tefBAD_LEDGER;
 
     adjustOwnerCount(
         view,