diff --git a/init/property_service.cpp b/init/property_service.cpp
index 96b4a37b2..66e46f8eb 100644
--- a/init/property_service.cpp
+++ b/init/property_service.cpp
@@ -79,7 +79,8 @@ void property_init() {
     property_area_initialized = true;
 
     if (__system_property_area_init()) {
-        return;
+        ERROR("Failed to initialize property area\n");
+        exit(1);
     }
 
     pa_workspace.size = 0;