diff --git a/src/aare/daq/server_exception_handler.py b/src/aare/daq/server_exception_handler.py
index e02555fc..3728eb4a 100644
--- a/src/aare/daq/server_exception_handler.py
+++ b/src/aare/daq/server_exception_handler.py
@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ def register_exception_handlers(app) -> None:
     @app.exception_handler(MountingFailed)
     async def mounting_failed_handler(request: Request, exc: MountingFailed) -> JSONResponse:
         return JSONResponse(
-            status_code=api_status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND,
-            content=_error_payload(code="MOUNTING_FAILED", message=str(exc)),
+            status_code=api_status.HTTP_409_CONFLICT,
+            content=_error_payload(code="MOUNTING_FAILED", message=str(exc) or "Failed to mount sample"),
         )
 
     @app.exception_handler(UnmountingFailed)