diff --git a/go/vt/vtgate/vstream_manager.go b/go/vt/vtgate/vstream_manager.go
index 43f38d2755d..db4484c77f2 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtgate/vstream_manager.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtgate/vstream_manager.go
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ func (vsm *vstreamManager) VStream(ctx context.Context, tabletType topodatapb.Ta
 	}
 	if ts == nil {
 		log.Errorf("unable to get topo server in VStream()")
-		return vterrors.Errorf(vtrpcpb.Code_FAILED_PRECONDITION, "unable to get topoology server")
+		return vterrors.Errorf(vtrpcpb.Code_ABORTED, "unable to get topoology server")
 	}
 	vs := &vstream{
 		vgtid:                       vgtid,