diff --git a/test_util.py b/test_util.py
index 6a77536..bf81d93 100644
--- a/test_util.py
+++ b/test_util.py
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ def email_developers():
             email_developers()
 
         self.close_log()
-        sys.exit()
+        sys.exit(1)
 
     def testfail(self, string):
         """output a test failure to the log"""