diff --git a/frontend/frontend.c b/frontend/frontend.c
index 9c2287d05b..426d929cd9 100644
--- a/frontend/frontend.c
+++ b/frontend/frontend.c
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
          else
          {
             RARCH_ERR("rarch_main_init() failed.\n");
-            g_extern.lifecycle_mode_state |= (1ULL << MODE_MENU);
+            return 1;
          }
 
          g_extern.lifecycle_mode_state &= ~(1ULL << MODE_INIT);