diff --git a/moto/dynamodb/responses.py b/moto/dynamodb/responses.py
index dece06542..8f3172112 100644
--- a/moto/dynamodb/responses.py
+++ b/moto/dynamodb/responses.py
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ class DynamoHandler(BaseResponse):
             return dynamo_json_dump(item_dict)
         else:
             er = 'com.amazonaws.dynamodb.v20111205#ResourceNotFoundException'
-            return self.error(er)
+            return self.error(er, status=404)
 
     def batch_get_item(self):
         table_batches = self.body['RequestItems']
diff --git a/tests/test_dynamodb/test_dynamodb_table_with_range_key.py b/tests/test_dynamodb/test_dynamodb_table_with_range_key.py
index bff2be93b..e357c5928 100644
--- a/tests/test_dynamodb/test_dynamodb_table_with_range_key.py
+++ b/tests/test_dynamodb/test_dynamodb_table_with_range_key.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from moto import mock_dynamodb
 from moto.dynamodb import dynamodb_backend
 
 from boto.dynamodb import condition
+from boto.dynamodb.exceptions import DynamoDBKeyNotFoundError
 from boto.exception import DynamoDBResponseError
 
 
@@ -101,6 +102,8 @@ def test_item_add_and_describe_and_update():
     )
     item.put()
 
+    table.has_item("LOLCat Forum", "Check this out!").should.equal(True)
+
     returned_item = table.get_item(
         hash_key='LOLCat Forum',
         range_key='Check this out!',
@@ -150,7 +153,8 @@ def test_get_missing_item():
     table.get_item.when.called_with(
         hash_key='tester',
         range_key='other',
-    ).should.throw(DynamoDBResponseError)
+    ).should.throw(DynamoDBKeyNotFoundError)
+    table.has_item("foobar").should.equal(False)
 
 
 @mock_dynamodb
@@ -163,7 +167,7 @@ def test_get_item_with_undeclared_table():
             'HashKeyElement': {'S': 'tester'},
             'RangeKeyElement': {'S': 'test-range'},
         },
-    ).should.throw(DynamoDBResponseError)
+    ).should.throw(DynamoDBKeyNotFoundError)
 
 
 @mock_dynamodb
diff --git a/tests/test_dynamodb/test_dynamodb_table_without_range_key.py b/tests/test_dynamodb/test_dynamodb_table_without_range_key.py
index c1ffdf2ce..a3d68b113 100644
--- a/tests/test_dynamodb/test_dynamodb_table_without_range_key.py
+++ b/tests/test_dynamodb/test_dynamodb_table_without_range_key.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from moto import mock_dynamodb
 from moto.dynamodb import dynamodb_backend
 
 from boto.dynamodb import condition
+from boto.dynamodb.exceptions import DynamoDBKeyNotFoundError
 from boto.exception import DynamoDBResponseError
 
 
@@ -137,7 +138,7 @@ def test_get_missing_item():
 
     table.get_item.when.called_with(
         hash_key='tester',
-    ).should.throw(DynamoDBResponseError)
+    ).should.throw(DynamoDBKeyNotFoundError)
 
 
 @mock_dynamodb
@@ -149,7 +150,7 @@ def test_get_item_with_undeclared_table():
         key={
             'HashKeyElement': {'S': 'tester'},
         },
-    ).should.throw(DynamoDBResponseError)
+    ).should.throw(DynamoDBKeyNotFoundError)
 
 
 @mock_dynamodb