diff --git a/lib/compat/wordpress-6.8/ajax-actions.php b/lib/compat/wordpress-6.8/ajax-actions.php
index 1cba32cbf7729..24388b7f3b911 100644
--- a/lib/compat/wordpress-6.8/ajax-actions.php
+++ b/lib/compat/wordpress-6.8/ajax-actions.php
@@ -9,15 +9,14 @@
  * Handles renewing the REST API nonce via AJAX.
  *
  * @since 5.3.0
- * @since 6.8.0 Returns an error if a renewed nonce isn't valid.
+ * @since 6.8.0 Returns error when session token is missing.
  */
 function gutenberg_ajax_rest_nonce() {
-	$nonce  = wp_create_nonce( 'wp_rest' );
-	$result = wp_verify_nonce( $nonce, 'wp_rest' );
-	if ( ! $result ) {
+	$token = wp_get_session_token();
+	if ( empty( $token ) ) {
 		wp_send_json_error( null, rest_authorization_required_code() );
 	}
 
-	exit( $result );
+	exit( wp_create_nonce( 'wp_rest' ) );
 }
 add_action( 'wp_ajax_rest-nonce', 'gutenberg_ajax_rest_nonce', 0 );