diff --git a/randpkt.c b/randpkt.c
index 58ff3b1aaa..4f90231a9d 100644
--- a/randpkt.c
+++ b/randpkt.c
@@ -172,6 +172,7 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 				produce_max_bytes = get_positive_int(optarg, "max bytes");
 				if (produce_max_bytes > 65536) {
 					cmdarg_err("max bytes is > 65536");
+					return 1;
 				}
 				break;