diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 1a815e2..9c409f6 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ func mailHandler(peer smtpd.Peer, env smtpd.Envelope) error {
 		err := cmd.Run()
 		if err != nil {
 			cmdLogger.WithError(err).Error(stderr.String())
-			return nil
+			return smtpd.Error{Code: 554, Message: "External command failed"}
 		}
 
 		cmdLogger.Info("pipe command successful: " + stdout.String())