diff --git a/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_read.go b/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_read.go
index 0f4037237..c139060e4 100644
--- a/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_read.go
+++ b/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_read.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package weed_server
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"math"
@@ -117,9 +118,12 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) GetOrHeadHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request)
 			w.WriteHeader(http.StatusForbidden)
 			return
 		}
-		if query.Get("metadata") == "true" && fs.option.ExposeDirectoryData != false {
-			writeJsonQuiet(w, r, http.StatusOK, entry)
-			return
+		if query.Get("metadata") == "true" {
+			// Don't return directory meta if config value is set to true
+			if fs.option.ExposeDirectoryData == false {
+				writeJsonError(w, r, http.StatusForbidden, errors.New("directory listing is disabled"))
+				return
+			}
 		}
 		if entry.Attr.Mime == "" || (entry.Attr.Mime == s3_constants.FolderMimeType && r.Header.Get(s3_constants.AmzIdentityId) == "") {
 			// return index of directory for non s3 gateway
@@ -135,7 +139,7 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) GetOrHeadHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request)
 		return
 	}
 
-	if query.Get("metadata") == "true" && fs.option.ExposeDirectoryData != false {
+	if query.Get("metadata") == "true" {
 		if query.Get("resolveManifest") == "true" {
 			if entry.Chunks, _, err = filer.ResolveChunkManifest(
 				fs.filer.MasterClient.GetLookupFileIdFunction(),
diff --git a/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_read_dir.go b/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_read_dir.go
index be38fba1d..0531527bb 100644
--- a/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_read_dir.go
+++ b/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_read_dir.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package weed_server
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"net/http"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -12,14 +13,14 @@ import (
 	"github.com/seaweedfs/seaweedfs/weed/util"
 )
 
-// listDirectoryHandler lists directories and folers under a directory
+// listDirectoryHandler lists directories and folders under a directory
 // files are sorted by name and paginated via "lastFileName" and "limit".
 // sub directories are listed on the first page, when "lastFileName"
 // is empty.
 func (fs *FilerServer) listDirectoryHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 
 	if fs.option.ExposeDirectoryData == false {
-		http.NotFound(w, r)
+		writeJsonError(w, r, http.StatusForbidden, errors.New("ui is disabled"))
 		return
 	}