diff --git a/server/jetstream_cluster.go b/server/jetstream_cluster.go
index 89a23257..ca125a6c 100644
--- a/server/jetstream_cluster.go
+++ b/server/jetstream_cluster.go
@@ -6897,6 +6897,7 @@ func (s *Server) jsClusteredConsumerRequest(ci *ClientInfo, acc *Account, subjec
 			if action == ActionCreate && !reflect.DeepEqual(cfg, ca.Config) {
 				resp.Error = NewJSConsumerAlreadyExistsError()
 				s.sendAPIErrResponse(ci, acc, subject, reply, string(rmsg), s.jsonResponse(&resp))
+				return
 			}
 			// Do quick sanity check on new cfg to prevent here if possible.
 			if err := acc.checkNewConsumerConfig(ca.Config, cfg); err != nil {