diff --git a/lib/imap.c b/lib/imap.c
index c98730cb59..ba6c61078a 100644
--- a/lib/imap.c
+++ b/lib/imap.c
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ static CURLcode imap_state_starttls_resp(struct connectdata *conn,
 
   if(imapcode != 'O') {
     failf(data, "STARTTLS denied. %c", imapcode);
-    result = CURLE_LOGIN_DENIED;
+    result = CURLE_USE_SSL_FAILED;
   }
   else {
     if(data->state.used_interface == Curl_if_multi) {
diff --git a/lib/pop3.c b/lib/pop3.c
index 6796cf76f3..283025120c 100644
--- a/lib/pop3.c
+++ b/lib/pop3.c
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ static CURLcode pop3_state_starttls_resp(struct connectdata *conn,
 
   if(pop3code != 'O') {
     failf(data, "STARTTLS denied. %c", pop3code);
-    result = CURLE_LOGIN_DENIED;
+    result = CURLE_USE_SSL_FAILED;
     state(conn, POP3_STOP);
   }
   else {
diff --git a/lib/smtp.c b/lib/smtp.c
index 7512f1d0a4..4cb25efcae 100644
--- a/lib/smtp.c
+++ b/lib/smtp.c
@@ -510,7 +510,7 @@ static CURLcode smtp_state_starttls_resp(struct connectdata *conn,
   if(smtpcode != 220) {
     if(data->set.use_ssl != CURLUSESSL_TRY) {
       failf(data, "STARTTLS denied. %c", smtpcode);
-      result = CURLE_LOGIN_DENIED;
+      result = CURLE_USE_SSL_FAILED;
     }
     else
       result = smtp_authenticate(conn);