diff --git a/reframe/frontend/cli.py b/reframe/frontend/cli.py
index 6f05080d4d..7514f3bf78 100644
--- a/reframe/frontend/cli.py
+++ b/reframe/frontend/cli.py
@@ -1240,11 +1240,12 @@ def module_unuse(*paths):
             try:
                 rt.modules_system.load_module(**m, force=True)
             except errors.EnvironError as e:
-                printer.warning(
-                    f'could not load module {m["name"]!r} correctly; '
-                    f'skipping...'
+                printer.error(
+                    f'could not load module {m["name"]!r} correctly; rerun '
+                    f'with -vv for more information'
                 )
                 printer.debug(str(e))
+                sys.exit(1)
 
         options.flex_alloc_nodes = options.flex_alloc_nodes or 'idle'
 
diff --git a/unittests/test_cli.py b/unittests/test_cli.py
index 12ce3ad0e0..4527e655bb 100644
--- a/unittests/test_cli.py
+++ b/unittests/test_cli.py
@@ -721,7 +721,7 @@ def test_unuse_module_path(run_reframe, user_exec_ctx):
     ms.searchpath_remove(module_path)
     assert "could not load module 'testmod_foo' correctly" in stdout
     assert 'Traceback' not in stderr
-    assert returncode == 0
+    assert returncode == 1
 
 
 def test_use_module_path(run_reframe, user_exec_ctx):