diff --git a/git-fetch.sh b/git-fetch.sh
index c0eb96752e..954901ddce 100755
--- a/git-fetch.sh
+++ b/git-fetch.sh
@@ -185,6 +185,7 @@ fast_forward_local () {
 			;;
 		*)
 			echo >&2 "  not updating."
+			exit 1
 			;;
 		esac
 	    }