diff --git a/meta-aspeed/classes/socsec-sign.bbclass b/meta-aspeed/classes/socsec-sign.bbclass
index b5866e2..0af88d9 100644
--- a/meta-aspeed/classes/socsec-sign.bbclass
+++ b/meta-aspeed/classes/socsec-sign.bbclass
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@
     if [ "${SOC_FAMILY}" != "aspeed-g6" ] ; then
         echo "Warning: SPL signing is only supported on AST2600 boards"
     elif [ ! -e "${SOCSEC_SIGN_KEY}" ] ; then
-        echo "Warning: Invalid socsec signing key - SPL verified boot won't be available"
+        echo "Error: Invalid socsec signing key: ${SOCSEC_SIGN_KEY}"
+        exit 1
     else
         rm -f ${SPL_BINARY}.staged