diff --git a/lib/gssapi/mech/gss_acquire_cred.c b/lib/gssapi/mech/gss_acquire_cred.c
index b21b3f62e..a8ebe644a 100644
--- a/lib/gssapi/mech/gss_acquire_cred.c
+++ b/lib/gssapi/mech/gss_acquire_cred.c
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ gss_acquire_cred(OM_uint32 *minor_status,
 
 	*minor_status = 0;
 	if (output_cred_handle)
-	    *output_cred_handle = GSS_C_NO_CREDENTIAL;
+	    return GSS_S_CALL_INACCESSIBLE_READ;
 	if (actual_mechs)
 	    *actual_mechs = GSS_C_NO_OID_SET;
 	if (time_rec)