diff --git a/app/controllers/application_controller.rb b/app/controllers/application_controller.rb
index cb491d1d0..62f6e378c 100644
--- a/app/controllers/application_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/application_controller.rb
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ protected
   def api_check
     if request.format.to_s =~ /\/json|\/xml/
       if CurrentUser.is_anonymous?
-        render :text => "401 Not Authorized\n", :layout => false, :status => 401
+        render :text => "403 Forbidden\n", :layout => false, :status => 403
         return false
       end