diff --git a/mkosi.images/system/mkosi.sync b/mkosi.images/system/mkosi.sync
index d00a7762573..517b7c93467 100755
--- a/mkosi.images/system/mkosi.sync
+++ b/mkosi.images/system/mkosi.sync
@@ -16,7 +16,12 @@ if [[ -d "$PKG_SUBDIR/.git" ]]; then
 
     # If work is being done on the packaging rules in a separate branch, don't touch the checkout.
     if ! git merge-base --is-ancestor HEAD "origin/$GIT_BRANCH"; then
-        exit 0
+        EXIT_STATUS=$?
+        if [[ $EXIT_STATUS -eq 1 ]]; then
+            exit 0
+        else
+            exit $EXIT_STATUS
+        fi
     fi
 fi