diff --git a/internal/ethapi/api.go b/internal/ethapi/api.go
index 8ae253bc9..4aa5a84a9 100644
--- a/internal/ethapi/api.go
+++ b/internal/ethapi/api.go
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ func (s *PrivateAccountAPI) SendTransaction(ctx context.Context, args SendTxArgs
 		data := []byte(*args.Data)
 		if len(data) > 0 {
 			log.Info("sending private tx", "data", fmt.Sprintf("%x", data), "privatefrom", args.PrivateFrom, "privatefor", args.PrivateFor)
-			data, err := private.P.Send(data, args.PrivateFrom, args.PrivateFor)
+			data, err = private.P.Send(data, args.PrivateFrom, args.PrivateFor)
 			log.Info("sent private tx", "data", fmt.Sprintf("%x", data), "privatefrom", args.PrivateFrom, "privatefor", args.PrivateFor)
 			if err != nil {
 				return common.Hash{}, err