diff --git a/pony_spi.c b/pony_spi.c
index 101751f2f..2a3666f70 100644
--- a/pony_spi.c
+++ b/pony_spi.c
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ int pony_spi_init(void)
 	} else if (arg && !strlen(arg)) {
 		msg_perr("Error: Missing argument for programmer type.\n");
 		free(arg);
+		return 1;
 	} else if (arg){
 		msg_perr("Error: Invalid programmer type specified.\n");
 		free(arg);