diff --git a/scripts/headers_install.sh b/scripts/headers_install.sh
index 89ea358cc2c5..176693f31188 100755
--- a/scripts/headers_install.sh
+++ b/scripts/headers_install.sh
@@ -112,7 +112,8 @@ do
 	done
 
 	if [ "$warn" = 1 ]; then
-		echo "warning: $INFILE: leak $c to user-space" >&2
+		echo "error: $INFILE: leak $c to user-space" >&2
+		exit 1
 	fi
 done