diff --git a/jupyterlab_git/handlers.py b/jupyterlab_git/handlers.py
index 16f3992a4..e7f185bf4 100644
--- a/jupyterlab_git/handlers.py
+++ b/jupyterlab_git/handlers.py
@@ -46,9 +46,7 @@ def prepare(self):
             excluded_paths = self.git.excluded_paths
             for excluded_path in excluded_paths:
                 if fnmatch.fnmatchcase(path, excluded_path):
-                    self.set_status(404)
-                    self.finish()
-                    break
+                    raise tornado.web.HTTPError(404)
 
     @functools.lru_cache()
     def url2localpath(