diff --git a/src/resources.py b/src/resources.py
index ac9cbf8..df42084 100644
--- a/src/resources.py
+++ b/src/resources.py
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ class SignupApi(Resource):
             db.session.add(user)
         except Exception as e:
             current_app.logger.warning(e)
-            abort(401, "user already exists")
+            abort(409, "user already exists")
 
         expires = datetime.timedelta(days=7)
         access_token = create_access_token(identity=str(user.name), expires_delta=expires)