diff --git a/bin/compose-core b/bin/compose-core
index 726f067..83e43db 100755
--- a/bin/compose-core
+++ b/bin/compose-core
@@ -4194,7 +4194,7 @@ while read-0 arg; do
                     exit 0
                     ;;
                 --get-project-name)
-                    project=$(get_default_project_name) || return 1
+                    project=$(get_default_project_name) || exit 1
                     echo "$project"
                     exit 0
                     ;;