diff --git a/util/validateToken.ts b/util/validateToken.ts
index 867ba5d..0613dcb 100644
--- a/util/validateToken.ts
+++ b/util/validateToken.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,6 @@ export default function ValidateImsToken(req: Request, res: Response, next: Next
     next();
   } catch (error) {
     logger.error("Error validating IMS token.", { error: (error as Error).message });
-    if (!res.headersSent) res.status(500).json({ error: "Error validating IMS token." });
+    if (!res.headersSent) res.sendStatus(401);
   }
 }