diff --git a/lib/hk-util.js b/lib/hk-util.js
index 031cdf259..f141bf35a 100644
--- a/lib/hk-util.js
+++ b/lib/hk-util.js
@@ -931,7 +931,7 @@ HK.onChannelMessage = function (Env, Server, channel, msgStruct, cb) {
                     Log.info("HK_SIGNED_MESSAGE_REJECTED", 'Channel '+channel.id);
                 }
                 // always abort if there was an error...
-                cb('FAILED_VALIDATION);
+                cb('FAILED_VALIDATION');
                 return void w.abort();
             });
         });