diff --git a/raft/server.cc b/raft/server.cc
index 16c149e4dc..1c05f1d3bd 100644
--- a/raft/server.cc
+++ b/raft/server.cc
@@ -1144,7 +1144,7 @@ future<> server_impl::applier_fiber() {
                         co_await _state_machine->apply(std::move(commands));
                     } catch (abort_requested_exception& e) {
                         logger.info("[{}] applier fiber stopped because state machine was aborted: {}", _id, e);
-                        co_return;
+                        throw stop_apply_fiber{};
                     } catch (...) {
                         std::throw_with_nested(raft::state_machine_error{});
                     }