diff --git a/bin/compose-core b/bin/compose-core
index c248673..d9ab164 100755
--- a/bin/compose-core
+++ b/bin/compose-core
@@ -5656,13 +5656,13 @@ else
     case "$action" in
         ps|up)
             if [ "${#services_args[@]}" == 0 ]; then
-                services_args=($(compose:yml:root:services)) || return 1
+                services_args=($(compose:yml:root:services)) || exit 1
             fi
             ;;
         status)
             services_args=("${state_services[@]}")
             if [ "${#services_args[@]}" == 0 ] && [ -z "$state_all_services" ]; then
-                services_args=($(compose:yml:root:services)) || return 1
+                services_args=($(compose:yml:root:services)) || exit 1
             fi
             ;;
         config)