diff --git a/src/qemu_driver.c b/src/qemu_driver.c
index da09e82f6..8b3bab2af 100644
--- a/src/qemu_driver.c
+++ b/src/qemu_driver.c
@@ -248,6 +248,7 @@ static int vitastor_file_open(BlockDriverState *bs, QDict *options, int flags, E
         {
             error_setg(errp, "image does not exist");
             vitastor_close(bs);
+            return -1;
         }
         if (!client->size)
         {