diff --git a/scripts/ost.in b/scripts/ost.in
index 16dc6738783ce6ef78dcf6c170feb30125a47261..cacb82d60b86ff0ffd6041e795fc7480c797c92e 100755
--- a/scripts/ost.in
+++ b/scripts/ost.in
@@ -76,7 +76,9 @@ else
 fi
 # finally pass control to python instance
 IFS="#"
-exec $pyexec $interactive "$DNG_ROOT/@LIBDIR@/openstructure/init_cl.py" $opts
+$pyexec $interactive "$DNG_ROOT/@LIBDIR@/openstructure/init_cl.py" $opts
+RC=$?
 IFS=$' \t\n'
+exit $RC