diff --git a/conf.py b/conf.py
index 1a08975..34f8116 100644
--- a/conf.py
+++ b/conf.py
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ def loadConf(filename, errors_fatal=True, logger=None):
         print('       Users upgrading from users < 0.9-alpha1 should note that the default configuration has been renamed to *pylink.yml*, not *config.yml*', file=sys.stderr)
 
         if errors_fatal:
-            sys.exit(4)
+            sys.exit(1)
         raise
     else:
         return conf
diff --git a/coremods/control.py b/coremods/control.py
index d1f8096..a00eced 100644
--- a/coremods/control.py
+++ b/coremods/control.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ def _shutdown(irc=None):
     """Shuts down the Pylink daemon."""
     global tried_shutdown
     if tried_shutdown:  # We froze on shutdown last time, so immediately abort.
-        sys.exit()
+        sys.exit(1)
 
     tried_shutdown = True