diff --git a/metropolis/node/core/curator/impl_follower.go b/metropolis/node/core/curator/impl_follower.go
index ac68e6d..1df859c 100644
--- a/metropolis/node/core/curator/impl_follower.go
+++ b/metropolis/node/core/curator/impl_follower.go
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@
 			return err
 		}
 
-		if st.leader != nil {
-			return status.Errorf(codes.Unavailable, "node became leader, try again")
+		if st.follower == nil {
+			return status.Errorf(codes.Unavailable, "election status changed, try again")
 		}
 
 		lock := st.follower.lock