diff --git core/src/main/scala/kafka/Kafka.scala core/src/main/scala/kafka/Kafka.scala
index fb860e7..9efabaa 100755
--- core/src/main/scala/kafka/Kafka.scala
+++ core/src/main/scala/kafka/Kafka.scala
@@ -68,7 +68,9 @@ object Kafka extends Logging {
       kafkaServerStartable.awaitShutdown
     }
     catch {
-      case e: Throwable => fatal(e)
+      case e: Throwable =>
+        fatal(e)
+        System.exit(1)
     }
     System.exit(0)
   }