diff --git a/tools/env/fw_env.c b/tools/env/fw_env.c
index 66cb9d2a25..2a61a5d6f0 100644
--- a/tools/env/fw_env.c
+++ b/tools/env/fw_env.c
@@ -1208,7 +1208,7 @@ static int flash_write(int fd_current, int fd_target, int dev_target)
 
 	if (IS_UBI(dev_target)) {
 		if (ubi_update_start(fd_target, CUR_ENVSIZE) < 0)
-			return 0;
+			return -1;
 		return ubi_write(fd_target, environment.image, CUR_ENVSIZE);
 	}