diff --git a/weed/server/master_server_handlers_admin.go b/weed/server/master_server_handlers_admin.go
index 42ec50dd5..a5d976008 100644
--- a/weed/server/master_server_handlers_admin.go
+++ b/weed/server/master_server_handlers_admin.go
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ func (ms *MasterServer) volumeVacuumHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Reque
 		gcThreshold, err = strconv.ParseFloat(gcString, 32)
 		if err != nil {
 			glog.V(0).Infof("garbageThreshold %s is not a valid float number: %v", gcString, err)
+			writeJsonError(w, r, http.StatusNotAcceptable, fmt.Errorf("garbageThreshold %s is not a valid float number", gcString))
 			return
 		}
 	}