diff --git a/pyGPG/output.py b/pyGPG/output.py
index c6df701..eb4905e 100644
--- a/pyGPG/output.py
+++ b/pyGPG/output.py
@@ -162,8 +162,9 @@ def returncode(self):
 
         @rtype int
         '''
-        return self.gpg.returncode
-
+        if self.gpg:
+            return self.gpg.returncode or -1
+        return -1
 
     @property
     def no_pubkey(self):