diff --git a/qemu-seccomp.c b/qemu-seccomp.c
index 69cee443af..7c7b4742a6 100644
--- a/qemu-seccomp.c
+++ b/qemu-seccomp.c
@@ -230,6 +230,7 @@ int seccomp_start(void)
 
     ctx = seccomp_init(SCMP_ACT_KILL);
     if (ctx == NULL) {
+        rc = -1;
         goto seccomp_return;
     }