diff --git a/bin/tests/system/run.sh b/bin/tests/system/run.sh
index 1640e1a1ed..dc05b9c8d9 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/run.sh
+++ b/bin/tests/system/run.sh
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ then
 fi
 
 # Start name servers running
-sh start.sh $test
+sh start.sh $test || exit 1
 
 sleep 10