diff --git a/packages/compiler-cli/ngcc/main-ngcc.ts b/packages/compiler-cli/ngcc/main-ngcc.ts
index 770a0b79a7..ca5030e5a2 100644
--- a/packages/compiler-cli/ngcc/main-ngcc.ts
+++ b/packages/compiler-cli/ngcc/main-ngcc.ts
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ if (require.main === module) {
       process.exitCode = 0;
     } catch (e) {
       console.error(e.stack || e.message);
-      process.exitCode = 1;
+      process.exit(1);
     }
   })();
 }