diff --git a/vpd_tool.cpp b/vpd_tool.cpp
index ebb7917..893b652 100644
--- a/vpd_tool.cpp
+++ b/vpd_tool.cpp
@@ -141,6 +141,7 @@
     catch (const exception& e)
     {
         cerr << e.what();
+        rc = -1;
     }
 
     return rc;