diff --git a/hw/core/loader.c b/hw/core/loader.c
index 3409cc6d1da5..c17ace0a2eeb 100644
--- a/hw/core/loader.c
+++ b/hw/core/loader.c
@@ -150,7 +150,9 @@ int load_image_targphys_as(const char *filename,
         return -1;
     }
     if (size > 0) {
-        rom_add_file_fixed_as(filename, addr, -1, as);
+        if (rom_add_file_fixed_as(filename, addr, -1, as) < 0) {
+            return -1;
+        }
     }
     return size;
 }