diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/mythappearance.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/mythappearance.cpp
index e15da879fc2..7fc9282812a 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/mythappearance.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/mythappearance.cpp
@@ -61,8 +61,11 @@ bool MythAppearance::Create()
     foundtheme = LoadWindowFromXML("appear-ui.xml", "appearance", this);
 
     if (!foundtheme)
+    {
         VERBOSE(VB_IMPORTANT, "Unable to load window appearance from "
                               "appear-ui.xml");
+        return false;
+    }
 
     m_topleftarrow = dynamic_cast<MythUIImage *>
                 (GetChild("topleft"));