diff --git a/oslo_config/cfg.py b/oslo_config/cfg.py
index b436f8a7..cbffb1e1 100644
--- a/oslo_config/cfg.py
+++ b/oslo_config/cfg.py
@@ -3196,7 +3196,7 @@ class ConfigOpts(abc.Mapping):
             except ValueError:
                 sys.stderr.write("argument --%s: Invalid %s value: %s\n" % (
                     opt.dest, repr(opt.type), value))
-                raise SystemExit
+                raise SystemExit(1)
 
     def _reload_config_files(self):
         namespace = self._parse_config_files()
diff --git a/oslo_config/generator.py b/oslo_config/generator.py
index ea12a922..8f8f85e5 100644
--- a/oslo_config/generator.py
+++ b/oslo_config/generator.py
@@ -826,7 +826,7 @@ def main(args=None):
     except cfg.RequiredOptError:
         conf.print_help()
         if not sys.argv[1:]:
-            raise SystemExit
+            raise SystemExit(1)
         raise
     generate(conf)
 
diff --git a/oslo_config/validator.py b/oslo_config/validator.py
index 01725547..4ec1a7e3 100644
--- a/oslo_config/validator.py
+++ b/oslo_config/validator.py
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ def main():
     except cfg.RequiredOptError:
         conf.print_help()
         if not sys.argv[1:]:
-            raise SystemExit
+            raise SystemExit(1)
         raise
     return _validate(conf)