diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/error/error.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/error/error.C
index af93c54d1..859cb5c35 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/error/error.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/error/error.C
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ void Foam::error::exit(const int errNo)
         {
             Perr<< endl << *this << endl
                 << "\nFOAM exiting\n" << endl;
-            ::exit(1);
+            ::exit(errNo);
         }
     }
 }