diff --git a/java/google/registry/tools/RegistryCli.java b/java/google/registry/tools/RegistryCli.java
index 7baa09e1e..2d02cb9bf 100644
--- a/java/google/registry/tools/RegistryCli.java
+++ b/java/google/registry/tools/RegistryCli.java
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ final class RegistryCli implements AutoCloseable, CommandRunner {
         System.err.println("===================================================================");
         System.err.println("You must login using 'nomulus login' prior to running this command.");
         System.err.println("===================================================================");
+        System.exit(1);
       } else {
         throw ex;
       }