diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 09d5e3e..a0a69ca 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -183,3 +183,6 @@ log/*
 metastore_db/
 
 .bsp/
+
+# sbt installation directory
+sbt/
diff --git a/src/main/scala/dpla/api/v2/search/paramValidators/ParamValidator.scala b/src/main/scala/dpla/api/v2/search/paramValidators/ParamValidator.scala
index da4c954..723eec4 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/dpla/api/v2/search/paramValidators/ParamValidator.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/dpla/api/v2/search/paramValidators/ParamValidator.scala
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ trait ParamValidator extends FieldDefinitions {
     Try(intString.toInt).toOption match {
       case Some(int) =>
         if (int < min) throw ValidationException(rule)
-        else if (int > max) max
+        else if (int > max) throw ValidationException(rule)
         else int
       case None =>
         // not an integer