diff --git a/rpc/import.go b/rpc/import.go
index 8ff817f1..1bca6187 100644
--- a/rpc/import.go
+++ b/rpc/import.go
@@ -98,8 +98,9 @@ func (ic *importClient) Send(ctx context.Context, s capnp.Send) (*capnp.Answer,
 	q := ic.c.newQuestion(s.Method)
 
 	// Send call message.
+	var err error
 	syncutil.Without(&ic.c.mu, func() {
-		ic.c.sendMessage(ctx, func(m rpccp.Message) error {
+		err = ic.c.sendMessage(ctx, func(m rpccp.Message) error {
 			return ic.c.newImportCallMessage(m, ic.id, q.id, s)
 		}, func(err error) {
 			ic.c.mu.Lock()
@@ -120,6 +121,10 @@ func (ic *importClient) Send(ctx context.Context, s capnp.Send) (*capnp.Answer,
 		})
 	})
 
+	if err != nil {
+		return capnp.ErrorAnswer(s.Method, err), func() {}
+	}
+
 	ans := q.p.Answer()
 	return ans, func() {
 		<-ans.Done()
diff --git a/rpc/question.go b/rpc/question.go
index 97725a4e..01997d69 100644
--- a/rpc/question.go
+++ b/rpc/question.go
@@ -151,9 +151,10 @@ func (q *question) PipelineSend(ctx context.Context, transform []capnp.PipelineO
 	q.mark(transform)
 	q2 := q.c.newQuestion(s.Method)
 
+	var err error
 	syncutil.Without(&q.c.mu, func() {
 		// Send call message.
-		q.c.sendMessage(ctx, func(m rpccp.Message) error {
+		err = q.c.sendMessage(ctx, func(m rpccp.Message) error {
 			return q.c.newPipelineCallMessage(m, q.id, transform, q2.id, s)
 		}, func(err error) {
 			if err != nil {
@@ -171,9 +172,12 @@ func (q *question) PipelineSend(ctx context.Context, transform []capnp.PipelineO
 				q2.handleCancel(ctx)
 			}()
 		})
-
 	})
 
+	if err != nil {
+		return capnp.ErrorAnswer(s.Method, err), func() {}
+	}
+
 	ans := q2.p.Answer()
 	return ans, func() {
 		<-ans.Done()