diff --git a/sysalert/util.py b/sysalert/util.py
index e071f3a..c7fdcc1 100644
--- a/sysalert/util.py
+++ b/sysalert/util.py
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ def cli():
     config.read(config_file)
     db = sysalert.db.init(db_file)
 
+    ret = 0
     if _test_env():
         # invoked by systemd
         ret = register_exit(config, db)