diff --git a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
index f8b0adc3347..58b0fd3688a 100644
--- a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
+++ b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
@@ -1659,6 +1659,9 @@ static int list_unit_files(int argc, char *argv[], void *userdata) {
                 for (unit = units; unit < units + c; unit++)
                         free(unit->path);
 
+        if (c == 0)
+                return -ENOENT;
+
         return 0;
 }