diff --git a/jupyter_server/services/contents/handlers.py b/jupyter_server/services/contents/handlers.py
index 1eae0c2f9..ad5542a62 100644
--- a/jupyter_server/services/contents/handlers.py
+++ b/jupyter_server/services/contents/handlers.py
@@ -149,6 +149,7 @@ async def get(self, path=""):
             await self._finish_error(
                 HTTPStatus.NOT_FOUND, f"file or directory {path!r} does not exist"
             )
+            return
 
         try:
             expect_hash = require_hash