diff --git a/lib/context.js b/lib/context.js
index d0eed8d..a66d7e5 100644
--- a/lib/context.js
+++ b/lib/context.js
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ var proto = module.exports = {
     }
 
     var err = msg instanceof Error ? msg : new Error(msg);
-    err.status = status || 500;
+    err.status = status || err.status || 500;
     err.expose = err.status < 500;
     throw err;
   },