diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_subs.py b/zerver/tests/test_subs.py
index 020c4bce71..e31d2d61f0 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_subs.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_subs.py
@@ -2380,8 +2380,7 @@ class GetSubscribersTest(ZulipTestCase):
         # Try to fetch the subscriber list as a non-member.
         stream_id = get_stream(stream_name, user_profile.realm).id
         result = self.make_subscriber_request(stream_id, email=other_email)
-        self.assert_json_error(result,
-                               "Unable to retrieve subscribers for invite-only stream")
+        self.assert_json_error(result, "Invalid stream id")
 
 from zerver.lib.streams import access_stream_by_id, access_stream_by_name
 class AccessStreamTest(ZulipTestCase):
diff --git a/zerver/views/streams.py b/zerver/views/streams.py
index 8bd91701a6..6abebdee93 100644
--- a/zerver/views/streams.py
+++ b/zerver/views/streams.py
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ def add_subscriptions_backend(request, user_profile,
 def get_subscribers_backend(request, user_profile,
                             stream_id=REQ('stream', converter=to_non_negative_int)):
     # type: (HttpRequest, UserProfile, int) -> HttpResponse
-    stream = get_and_validate_stream_by_id(stream_id, user_profile.realm)
+    (stream, recipient, sub) = access_stream_by_id(user_profile, stream_id)
     subscribers = get_subscriber_emails(stream, user_profile)
 
     return json_success({'subscribers': subscribers})