diff --git a/controller_manager/controller_manager/spawner.py b/controller_manager/controller_manager/spawner.py
index ac319d027c..cf313e0e5a 100644
--- a/controller_manager/controller_manager/spawner.py
+++ b/controller_manager/controller_manager/spawner.py
@@ -420,6 +420,7 @@ def main(args=None):
         pass
     except ServiceNotFoundError as err:
         node.get_logger().fatal(str(err))
+        return 1
     finally:
         rclpy.shutdown()
 
diff --git a/controller_manager/controller_manager/unspawner.py b/controller_manager/controller_manager/unspawner.py
index ff4e2b06f2..e42d85aee9 100644
--- a/controller_manager/controller_manager/unspawner.py
+++ b/controller_manager/controller_manager/unspawner.py
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ def main(args=None):
         pass
     except ServiceNotFoundError as err:
         node.get_logger().fatal(str(err))
+        return 1
     finally:
         rclpy.shutdown()