diff --git a/lms/static/js/student_account/AccountsClient.js b/lms/static/js/student_account/AccountsClient.js
index 4f5e933ee0..d2b14e3509 100644
--- a/lms/static/js/student_account/AccountsClient.js
+++ b/lms/static/js/student_account/AccountsClient.js
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ const deactivate = (password) => fetch('/api/user/v1/accounts/deactivate_logout/
     return response;
   }
 
-  throw new Error(response);
+  throw new Error(response.status);
 });
 
 export {
diff --git a/lms/static/js/student_account/components/StudentAccountDeletionModal.jsx b/lms/static/js/student_account/components/StudentAccountDeletionModal.jsx
index 0267831a42..9c6c68b235 100644
--- a/lms/static/js/student_account/components/StudentAccountDeletionModal.jsx
+++ b/lms/static/js/student_account/components/StudentAccountDeletionModal.jsx
@@ -52,9 +52,8 @@ class StudentAccountDeletionConfirmationModal extends React.Component {
   }
 
   failedSubmission(error) {
-    const { status } = error;
-    const title = status === 403 ? gettext('Password is incorrect') : gettext('Unable to delete account');
-    const body = status === 403 ? gettext('Please re-enter your password.') : gettext('Sorry, there was an error trying to process your request. Please try again later.');
+    const title = error.message === '403' ? gettext('Password is incorrect') : gettext('Unable to delete account');
+    const body = error.message === '403' ? gettext('Please re-enter your password.') : gettext('Sorry, there was an error trying to process your request. Please try again later.');
 
     this.setState({
       passwordSubmitted: false,