diff --git a/cypress/integration/common/steps.js b/cypress/integration/common/steps.js
index dc43d1659..e2ab27ee6 100644
--- a/cypress/integration/common/steps.js
+++ b/cypress/integration/common/steps.js
@@ -223,6 +223,11 @@ Then('the first post on the landing page has the title:', title => {
   cy.get('.post-card:first').should('contain', title)
 })
 
-Then('I see a 404 error with the following message:', message => {
-  cy.get('.error').should('contain', message)
-})
+Then(
+  'the page {string} returns a 404 error with a message:',
+  (route, message) => {
+    // TODO: how can we check HTTP codes with cypress?
+    cy.visit(route, { failOnStatusCode: false })
+    cy.get('.error').should('contain', message)
+  }
+)
diff --git a/cypress/integration/moderation/HidePosts.feature b/cypress/integration/moderation/HidePosts.feature
index 6a11eaf3b..4006f4068 100644
--- a/cypress/integration/moderation/HidePosts.feature
+++ b/cypress/integration/moderation/HidePosts.feature
@@ -20,8 +20,7 @@ Feature: Hide Posts
 
   Scenario: Visiting a disabled post's page should return 404
     Given I am logged in with a "user" role
-    When I visit the "/post/this-post-is-disabled" page
-    Then I see a 404 error with the following message:
+    Then the page "/post/this-post-is-disabled" returns a 404 error with a message:
     """
     We cannot find that post :(
     """
diff --git a/pages/post/_slug/index.vue b/pages/post/_slug/index.vue
index 68655a31f..601f5c8da 100644
--- a/pages/post/_slug/index.vue
+++ b/pages/post/_slug/index.vue
@@ -162,6 +162,22 @@ export default {
       this.title = this.post.title
     }
   },
+  async asyncData(context) {
+    const {
+      params,
+      error,
+      app: { apolloProvider }
+    } = context
+    const client = apolloProvider.defaultClient
+    const query = gql('query Post($slug: String!) { Post(slug: $slug) { id } }')
+    const variables = { slug: params.slug }
+    const {
+      data: { Post }
+    } = await client.query({ query, variables })
+    if (Post.length <= 0) {
+      error({ statusCode: 404, message: 'We cannot find that post :(' })
+    }
+  },
   methods: {
     isAuthor(id) {
       return this.$store.getters['auth/user'].id === id