diff --git a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/execution_payload.rs b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/execution_payload.rs
index 5896dbf3d8..ed7095122a 100644
--- a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/execution_payload.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/execution_payload.rs
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ pub fn execute_payload<T: BeaconChainTypes>(
             }
             ExecutePayloadResponseStatus::Syncing => Ok(PayloadVerificationStatus::NotVerified),
         },
-        Err(_) => Ok(PayloadVerificationStatus::NotVerified),
+        Err(_) => Err(ExecutionPayloadError::RejectedByExecutionEngine.into()),
     }
 }