diff --git a/cmd/podman/images/rm.go b/cmd/podman/images/rm.go
index 42ebd17679..c053b9dda0 100644
--- a/cmd/podman/images/rm.go
+++ b/cmd/podman/images/rm.go
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func rm(_ *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	if len(rmErrors) > 0 {
+	if len(rmErrors) > 0 && report != nil {
 		registry.SetExitCode(report.ExitCode)
 	}