diff --git a/command/workspace_new.go b/command/workspace_new.go
index 88dc27da9..af7ad2265 100644
--- a/command/workspace_new.go
+++ b/command/workspace_new.go
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ func (c *WorkspaceNewCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 	states, err := b.States()
 	if err != nil {
 		c.Ui.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Failed to get configured named states: %s", err))
+		return 1
 	}
 	for _, s := range states {
 		if newEnv == s {