diff --git a/internal/grpc/services/gateway/usershareprovider.go b/internal/grpc/services/gateway/usershareprovider.go
index 086bde3a735..e00d61b759f 100644
--- a/internal/grpc/services/gateway/usershareprovider.go
+++ b/internal/grpc/services/gateway/usershareprovider.go
@@ -770,7 +770,8 @@ func (s *svc) removeSpaceShare(ctx context.Context, ref *provider.ResourceId, gr
 		}
 	}
 	if permissions == nil {
-		return nil, errors.New("gateway: error getting grant to remove from storage")
+		// The grantee is missing; assume it was already removed
+		return &collaboration.RemoveShareResponse{Status: status.NewOK(ctx)}, nil
 	}
 
 	if len(listGrantRes.Grants) == 1 || !isSpaceManagerRemaining(listGrantRes.Grants, grantee) {