diff --git a/pfcwd/main.py b/pfcwd/main.py
index 1f8ec2293e..c3b92fd223 100644
--- a/pfcwd/main.py
+++ b/pfcwd/main.py
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ def start(self, action, restoration_time, ports, detection_time):
             click.echo("Failed to run command, invalid options:")
             for opt in invalid_ports:
                 click.echo(opt)
-            exit()
+            exit(1)
         self.start_cmd(action, restoration_time, ports, detection_time)
 
 
diff --git a/tests/pfcwd_test.py b/tests/pfcwd_test.py
index b0af050233..c150c0568b 100644
--- a/tests/pfcwd_test.py
+++ b/tests/pfcwd_test.py
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ def test_pfcwd_start_ports_invalid(self):
             obj=db
         )
         print(result.output)
-        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        assert result.exit_code == 1
         assert result.output == pfcwd_show_start_config_output_fail
 
     @classmethod
@@ -447,7 +447,7 @@ def test_pfcwd_start_ports_masic_invalid(self):
             obj=db
         )
         print(result.output)
-        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        assert result.exit_code == 1
         assert result.output == show_pfc_config_start_fail
 
         # get config after the command, config shouldn't change
@@ -500,4 +500,4 @@ def teardown_class(cls):
         import mock_tables.mock_single_asic
         importlib.reload(mock_tables.mock_single_asic)
         import pfcwd.main
-        importlib.reload(pfcwd.main)
\ No newline at end of file
+        importlib.reload(pfcwd.main)