Should have saved earlier...

src/routes/+layout.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 /** @type {import('./$types').LayoutLoad} */
 // console.log(`ae_root +layout.ts start`);
 
+import { error } from '@sveltejs/kit';
 import { get } from 'svelte/store';
 import { browser } from '$app/environment';
 
@@ -169,7 +170,11 @@ export async function load({ fetch, params, parent, route, url }) { // params, r
 
     if (!account_id) {
         console.log(`root layout.ts: The account_id was not found in API response!!!`);
-        return false;
+        // return false;
+        // return;
+        error(500, {
+			message: 'Not found'
+		});
     }
     // console.log(ae_loc_init);