diff --git a/apps/assets/api/node.py b/apps/assets/api/node.py
index fbdebabc5..a48d5f00d 100644
--- a/apps/assets/api/node.py
+++ b/apps/assets/api/node.py
@@ -62,11 +62,8 @@ class NodeViewSet(OrgModelViewSet):
     def destroy(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
         node = self.get_object()
         if node.has_children_or_contains_assets():
-            msg = _("Deletion failed "
-                    "and the node contains children or assets")
-            return Response(
-                data={'msg': msg}, status=status.HTTP_500_INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR
-            )
+            msg = _("Deletion failed and the node contains children or assets")
+            return Response(data={'msg': msg}, status=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN)
         return super().destroy(request, *args, **kwargs)