diff --git a/relay/actor.py b/relay/actor.py
index 025fd37..8c1cd16 100644
--- a/relay/actor.py
+++ b/relay/actor.py
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ async def inbox(request):
             if instance not in not_subd:
                 not_subd.append(instance)
                 DATABASE['not-subscribed'] = not_subd
-        return aiohttp.web.Response(body=b'{}', content_type='application/activity+json')
+        raise aiohttp.web.HTTPUnauthorized(body='access denied', content_type='text/plain')
 
      elif AP_CONFIG['whitelist_enabled'] is True and instance not in AP_CONFIG['whitelist']:
                  raise aiohttp.web.HTTPUnauthorized(body='access denied', content_type='text/plain')