diff --git a/files/routes/comments.py b/files/routes/comments.py
index 317d3f3fa8..ea05cb8e49 100644
--- a/files/routes/comments.py
+++ b/files/routes/comments.py
@@ -121,7 +121,11 @@ def comment(v:User):
 	posting_to_submission = isinstance(post_target, Submission)
 
 	if not User.can_see(v, parent): abort(404)
-	if not isinstance(parent, User) and parent.deleted_utc != 0: abort(404)
+	if not isinstance(parent, User) and parent.deleted_utc != 0:
+		if isinstance(parent, Submission):
+			abort(403, "This post has been deleted!")
+		else:
+			abort(403, "This comment has been deleted!")
 
 	if posting_to_submission:
 		sub = post_target.sub