diff --git a/src/bank.rs b/src/bank.rs
index cb0eeebccb..f2e16d03ec 100644
--- a/src/bank.rs
+++ b/src/bank.rs
@@ -77,6 +77,9 @@ pub enum BankError {
     /// too old and has been discarded.
     SignatureNotFound,
 
+    /// A transaction with this signature has been received but not yet executed
+    SignatureReserved,
+
     /// Proof of History verification failed.
     LedgerVerificationFailed,
 
@@ -431,7 +434,7 @@ impl Bank {
         if let Some(_result) = signatures.get(signature) {
             return Err(BankError::DuplicateSignature);
         }
-        signatures.insert(*signature, Ok(()));
+        signatures.insert(*signature, Err(BankError::SignatureReserved));
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -1747,7 +1750,10 @@ mod tests {
         let signature = Signature::default();
         bank.reserve_signature_with_last_id_test(&signature, &mint.last_id())
             .expect("reserve signature");
-        assert_eq!(bank.get_signature_status(&signature), Ok(()));
+        assert_eq!(
+            bank.get_signature_status(&signature),
+            Err(BankError::SignatureReserved)
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/src/rpc.rs b/src/rpc.rs
index 8c05b88bc7..72b99e6569 100644
--- a/src/rpc.rs
+++ b/src/rpc.rs
@@ -192,6 +192,9 @@ impl RpcSol for RpcSolImpl {
                 Ok(_) => RpcSignatureStatus::Confirmed,
                 Err(BankError::AccountInUse) => RpcSignatureStatus::AccountInUse,
                 Err(BankError::ProgramRuntimeError(_)) => RpcSignatureStatus::ProgramRuntimeError,
+                // Report SignatureReserved as SignatureNotFound as SignatureReserved is
+                // transitory while the bank processes the associated transaction.
+                Err(BankError::SignatureReserved) => RpcSignatureStatus::SignatureNotFound,
                 Err(BankError::SignatureNotFound) => RpcSignatureStatus::SignatureNotFound,
                 Err(err) => {
                     trace!("mapping {:?} to GenericFailure", err);