diff --git a/quark.c b/quark.c
index a943f88..8d151a1 100644
--- a/quark.c
+++ b/quark.c
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ getrequest(int fd, struct request *r)
 		}
 	}
 	if (i == NUM_REQ_METHODS) {
-		return sendstatus(fd, S_BAD_REQUEST);
+		return sendstatus(fd, S_METHOD_NOT_ALLOWED);
 	}
 
 	/* a single space must follow the method */