diff --git a/util/grub-mkconfig.in b/util/grub-mkconfig.in
index 203b07696..f8496d28b 100644
--- a/util/grub-mkconfig.in
+++ b/util/grub-mkconfig.in
@@ -273,6 +273,7 @@ Ensure that there are no errors in /etc/default/grub
 and /etc/grub.d/* files or please file a bug report with
 %s file attached." "${grub_cfg}.new" >&2
     echo >&2
+    exit 1
   else
     # none of the children aborted with error, install the new grub.cfg
     mv -f ${grub_cfg}.new ${grub_cfg}