diff --git a/interp/interp.go b/interp/interp.go
index 1bf5311..3de3de1 100644
--- a/interp/interp.go
+++ b/interp/interp.go
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ func execProgram(p *interp, program *Program) (int, error) {
 	// Execute the program! BEGIN, then pattern/actions, then END
 	err := p.execBeginEnd(program.Begin)
 	if err != nil && err != errExit {
-		return 0, err
+		return p.exitStatus, err
 	}
 	if program.Actions == nil && program.End == nil {
 		return p.exitStatus, nil