diff --git a/awx/api/views.py b/awx/api/views.py
index a3c334d9c1..95fc634e7b 100644
--- a/awx/api/views.py
+++ b/awx/api/views.py
@@ -1483,7 +1483,8 @@ class JobTemplateLaunch(GenericAPIView):
         new_job = obj.create_unified_job(**request.DATA)
         result = new_job.signal_start(**request.DATA)
         if not result:
-            data = dict(passwords_needed_to_start=obj.passwords_needed_to_start)
+            data = dict(passwords_needed_to_start=new_job.passwords_needed_to_start)
+            # TODO, this scenario leaves an orphaned "new" job.  Should we delete it?
             return Response(data, status=status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST)
         else:
             data = dict(job=new_job.id)