diff --git a/packages/node_modules/node-red/red.js b/packages/node_modules/node-red/red.js
index 2f5ab354c..fb6b21fca 100755
--- a/packages/node_modules/node-red/red.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/node-red/red.js
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ try {
     } else {
         console.log(err);
     }
-    process.exit();
+    process.exit(1);
 }
 
 if (parsedArgs.define) {