diff --git a/msal/application.py b/msal/application.py
index a17d3594..66d9b430 100644
--- a/msal/application.py
+++ b/msal/application.py
@@ -633,8 +633,9 @@ def _acquire_token_silent_by_finding_rt_belongs_to_me_or_my_family(
                 **kwargs)
             if at and "error" not in at:
                 return at
+        last_resp = None
         if app_metadata.get("family_id"):  # Meaning this app belongs to this family
-            at = self._acquire_token_silent_by_finding_specific_refresh_token(
+            last_resp = at = self._acquire_token_silent_by_finding_specific_refresh_token(
                 authority, scopes, dict(query, family_id=app_metadata["family_id"]),
                 **kwargs)
             if at and "error" not in at:
@@ -642,7 +643,8 @@ def _acquire_token_silent_by_finding_rt_belongs_to_me_or_my_family(
         # Either this app is an orphan, so we will naturally use its own RT;
         # or all attempts above have failed, so we fall back to non-foci behavior.
         return self._acquire_token_silent_by_finding_specific_refresh_token(
-            authority, scopes, dict(query, client_id=self.client_id), **kwargs)
+            authority, scopes, dict(query, client_id=self.client_id),
+            **kwargs) or last_resp
 
     def _get_app_metadata(self, environment):
         apps = self.token_cache.find(  # Use find(), rather than token_cache.get(...)
diff --git a/tests/test_application.py b/tests/test_application.py
index 39becd5a..65b36b34 100644
--- a/tests/test_application.py
+++ b/tests/test_application.py
@@ -176,6 +176,19 @@ def tester(url, data=None, **kwargs):
 
     # Will not test scenario of app leaving family. Per specs, it won't happen.
 
+    def test_preexisting_family_app_will_attempt_frt_and_return_error(self):
+        error_response = '{"error": "invalid_grant", "error_description": "xyz"}'
+        def tester(url, data=None, **kwargs):
+            self.assertEqual(
+                self.frt, data.get("refresh_token"), "Should attempt the FRT")
+            return MinimalResponse(status_code=400, text=error_response)
+        app = ClientApplication(
+            "preexisting_family_app", authority=self.authority_url, token_cache=self.cache)
+        resp = app._acquire_token_silent_by_finding_rt_belongs_to_me_or_my_family(
+            self.authority, self.scopes, self.account, post=tester)
+        logger.debug("%s.cache = %s", self.id(), self.cache.serialize())
+        self.assertEqual(json.loads(error_response), resp, "Error raised will be returned")
+
     def test_family_app_remove_account(self):
         logger.debug("%s.cache = %s", self.id(), self.cache.serialize())
         app = ClientApplication(