diff --git a/backend/pkg/console/schema_registry.go b/backend/pkg/console/schema_registry.go
index 17c22cce7..347018160 100644
--- a/backend/pkg/console/schema_registry.go
+++ b/backend/pkg/console/schema_registry.go
@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ func (s *Service) GetSchemaRegistrySchemaReferencedBy(ctx context.Context, subje
 				ch <- SchemaReference{
 					Error: err.Error(),
 				}
-				return nil
+				return nil //nolint:nilerr // we communicate error via channel
 			}
 
 			usages := make([]SchemaUsage, len(subjectVersions))