diff --git a/include/v/vere.h b/include/v/vere.h
index 6d9c011f10..4f8d090df6 100644
--- a/include/v/vere.h
+++ b/include/v/vere.h
@@ -534,6 +534,7 @@
         u2_unix    unx_u;                   //  sync and clay
         u2_batz    beh_u;                   //  batz timer
         u2_bean    liv;                     //  if u2_no, shut down
+        c3_i       xit_i;                   //  exit code for shutdown
         void*      ssl_u;                   //  struct SSL_CTX*
 
         u2_reck*   arv_u;                   //  runtime
diff --git a/v/loop.c b/v/loop.c
index da8de9e8f3..c58d91cb48 100644
--- a/v/loop.c
+++ b/v/loop.c
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ u2_lo_shut(u2_bean inn)
     u2_loom_exit();
     u2_lo_exit();
 
-    exit(0);
+    exit(u2_Host.xit_i);
   }
   else {
     //  poll arvo to generate any event binding changes
diff --git a/v/main.c b/v/main.c
index 3787c43236..cdac948efd 100644
--- a/v/main.c
+++ b/v/main.c
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ main(c3_i   argc,
   //  Instantiate process globals.
   {
     u2_wr_check_init(u2_Host.ops_u.cpu_c);
-
+    u2_Host.xit_i = 0;
     if ( (u2_no == u2_Host.ops_u.nuu) &&
           (u2_yes == u2_loom_load()) )
     {
diff --git a/v/reck.c b/v/reck.c
index 33d40a4019..aac56d4fd6 100644
--- a/v/reck.c
+++ b/v/reck.c
@@ -628,6 +628,7 @@ _reck_kick_term(u2_reck* rec_u, u2_noun pox, c3_l tid_l, u2_noun fav)
     case c3__logo:
     {
       u2_Host.liv = u2_no;
+      u2_Host.xit_i = u2t(fav);
 
       u2z(pox); u2z(fav); return u2_yes;
     } break;