diff --git a/src/network/leaseshelper.c b/src/network/leaseshelper.c
index 732dd09610..c20e63efa9 100644
--- a/src/network/leaseshelper.c
+++ b/src/network/leaseshelper.c
@@ -253,6 +253,8 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
     rv = EXIT_SUCCESS;
 
  cleanup:
+    if (rv != EXIT_SUCCESS)
+        virDispatchError(NULL);
     if (pid_file_fd != -1)
         virPidFileReleasePath(pid_file, pid_file_fd);