diff --git a/bitbake/bin/bitbake b/bitbake/bin/bitbake
index acd2f790dc..520e54912a 100755
--- a/bitbake/bin/bitbake
+++ b/bitbake/bin/bitbake
@@ -217,6 +217,8 @@ Default BBFILES are the .bb files in the current directory.""")
     finally:
         server_connection.terminate()
 
+    return 1
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     try:
         ret = main()