diff --git a/pkg/urbit/vere/king.c b/pkg/urbit/vere/king.c
index 3de0faa5fc..5739f74c18 100644
--- a/pkg/urbit/vere/king.c
+++ b/pkg/urbit/vere/king.c
@@ -577,10 +577,7 @@ _boothack_doom(void)
 
     if ( u3_nul == whu ) {
       u3l_log("boot: malformed -F ship %s\r\n", u3_Host.ops_u.fak_c);
-      
-      u3_term_log_exit();
-      fflush(stdout);
-
+      u3_king_bail();
       exit(1);
     }