diff --git a/toolchain/helpers.mk b/toolchain/helpers.mk
index 42e5522060..996cc70d44 100644
--- a/toolchain/helpers.mk
+++ b/toolchain/helpers.mk
@@ -163,7 +163,9 @@ copy_toolchain_sysroot = \
 # $3: kernel version string, in the form: X.Y
 #
 check_kernel_headers_version = \
-	support/scripts/check-kernel-headers.sh $(1) $(2) $(3)
+	if ! support/scripts/check-kernel-headers.sh $(1) $(2) $(3); then \
+		exit 1; \
+	fi
 
 #
 # Check the specific gcc version actually matches the version in the