diff --git a/src/kemal/static_file_handler.cr b/src/kemal/static_file_handler.cr
index 6dbd36a..49779fc 100644
--- a/src/kemal/static_file_handler.cr
+++ b/src/kemal/static_file_handler.cr
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ module Kemal
 
       # prevent symlinks out of the public dir
       if File.symlink?(file_path) && !File.real_path(file_path).starts_with?(@public_dir)
-        call_next(context)
+        context.response.status_code = 404
         return
       end