diff --git a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
index ca886a845e..9c6156237a 100644
--- a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
+++ b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
@@ -6619,7 +6619,7 @@ static int is_system_running(int argc, char *argv[], void *userdata) {
 
                 if (!arg_quiet)
                         puts("unknown");
-                return 0;
+                return EXIT_FAILURE;
         }
 
         if (!arg_quiet)