diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/pipeline.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/pipeline.ex
index cb3571917..25f29bf63 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/pipeline.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/pipeline.ex
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ defp maybe_federate(activity, meta) do
         {:ok, :not_federated}
       end
     else
-      _e -> {:error, "local not set in meta"}
+      _e -> {:error, :badarg}
     end
   end
 end