diff --git a/backportpackage b/backportpackage
index 4120280..a2834e9 100755
--- a/backportpackage
+++ b/backportpackage
@@ -193,7 +193,9 @@ def do_build(workdir, package, release, bp_version, builder):
         return
 
     if opts.update:
-        builder.update(release)
+        if 0 != builder.update(release):
+            error('Failed to update %s chroot for %s.' % \
+                      (release, builder.get_name()))
 
     return builder.build(os.path.join(workdir,
                                       '%s_%s.dsc' % (package, bp_version)),