diff --git a/commonspace/object/tree/synctree/treeremotegetter.go b/commonspace/object/tree/synctree/treeremotegetter.go
index 3156373f..7c401a5e 100644
--- a/commonspace/object/tree/synctree/treeremotegetter.go
+++ b/commonspace/object/tree/synctree/treeremotegetter.go
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ func (t treeRemoteGetter) getTree(ctx context.Context) (treeStorage treestorage.
 		err = rpcerr.Err(errResp.ErrCode)
 		return
 	case resp.GetContent().GetFullSyncResponse() == nil:
-		err = fmt.Errorf("expected to get full sync response, but got something else")
+		err = treechangeproto.ErrUnexpected
 		return
 	default:
 		break