diff --git a/cf/Makefile.am.common b/cf/Makefile.am.common
index 030da2bda..5d8dfb20b 100644
--- a/cf/Makefile.am.common
+++ b/cf/Makefile.am.common
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ check-local::
 	  echo "$$dashes"; \
 	  echo "$$banner"; \
 	  echo "$$dashes"; \
-	  test "$$failed" -eq 0; \
+	  test "$$failed" -eq 0 || exit 1; \
 	fi ; \
 	if test '$(CHECK_SYMBOLS)' != ""; then \
 	  echo "$$dashes"; \