diff --git a/balancer/rls/picker.go b/balancer/rls/picker.go
index 9b40ccb4dfe..ece27f0fc2e 100644
--- a/balancer/rls/picker.go
+++ b/balancer/rls/picker.go
@@ -27,10 +27,12 @@ import (
 
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/balancer"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/balancer/rls/internal/keys"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/codes"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/connectivity"
 	internalgrpclog "google.golang.org/grpc/internal/grpclog"
 	rlspb "google.golang.org/grpc/internal/proto/grpc_lookup_v1"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/metadata"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/status"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -129,9 +131,15 @@ func (p *rlsPicker) Pick(info balancer.PickInfo) (balancer.PickResult, error) {
 		// We get here only if the data cache entry has expired. If entry is in
 		// backoff, delegate to default target or fail the pick.
 		if dcEntry.backoffState != nil && dcEntry.backoffTime.After(now) {
-			status := dcEntry.status
+			st := dcEntry.status
 			p.lb.cacheMu.RUnlock()
-			return p.useDefaultPickIfPossible(info, status)
+
+			// Avoid propagating the status code received on control plane RPCs to the
+			// data plane which can lead to unexpected outcomes as we do not control
+			// the status code sent by the control plane. Propagating the status
+			// message received from the control plane is still fine, as it could be
+			// useful for debugging purposes.
+			return p.useDefaultPickIfPossible(info, status.Error(codes.Unavailable, fmt.Sprintf("most recent error from RLS server: %v", st.Error())))
 		}
 
 		// We get here only if the entry has expired and is not in backoff.
@@ -220,7 +228,12 @@ func (p *rlsPicker) sendRequestAndReturnPick(cacheKey cacheKey, bs *backoffState
 
 	// Entry is in backoff. Delegate to default target or fail the pick.
 	case dcEntry.backoffState != nil && dcEntry.backoffTime.After(now):
-		return p.useDefaultPickIfPossible(info, dcEntry.status)
+		// Avoid propagating the status code received on control plane RPCs to the
+		// data plane which can lead to unexpected outcomes as we do not control
+		// the status code sent by the control plane. Propagating the status
+		// message received from the control plane is still fine, as it could be
+		// useful for debugging purposes.
+		return p.useDefaultPickIfPossible(info, status.Error(codes.Unavailable, fmt.Sprintf("most recent error from RLS server: %v", dcEntry.status.Error())))
 
 	// Entry has expired, but is not in backoff. Send request and queue pick.
 	default:
diff --git a/balancer/rls/picker_test.go b/balancer/rls/picker_test.go
index a52aaa5e563..11c91055d68 100644
--- a/balancer/rls/picker_test.go
+++ b/balancer/rls/picker_test.go
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ package rls
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"errors"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -29,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/credentials/insecure"
 	rlspb "google.golang.org/grpc/internal/proto/grpc_lookup_v1"
 	rlstest "google.golang.org/grpc/internal/testutils/rls"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/status"
 	"google.golang.org/protobuf/types/known/durationpb"
 )
 
@@ -512,7 +512,7 @@ func (s) TestPick_DataCacheHit_NoPendingEntry_ExpiredEntryInBackoff(t *testing.T
 
 			// Set up the fake RLS server to return errors. This will push the cache
 			// entry into backoff.
-			var rlsLastErr = errors.New("last RLS request failed")
+			var rlsLastErr = status.Error(codes.DeadlineExceeded, "last RLS request failed")
 			rlsServer.SetResponseCallback(func(_ context.Context, req *rlspb.RouteLookupRequest) *rlstest.RouteLookupResponse {
 				return &rlstest.RouteLookupResponse{Err: rlsLastErr}
 			})
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ func (s) TestPick_DataCacheHit_NoPendingEntry_ExpiredEntryInBackoff(t *testing.T
 			if test.withDefaultTarget {
 				makeTestRPCAndExpectItToReachBackend(ctx, t, cc, defBackendCh)
 			} else {
-				makeTestRPCAndVerifyError(ctx, t, cc, codes.Unknown, rlsLastErr)
+				makeTestRPCAndVerifyError(ctx, t, cc, codes.Unavailable, rlsLastErr)
 			}
 		})
 	}