diff --git a/offlineimap/init.py b/offlineimap/init.py
index 5c90377..761ff61 100644
--- a/offlineimap/init.py
+++ b/offlineimap/init.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class OfflineImap:
         if options.diagnostics:
             self.__serverdiagnostics(options)
         else:
-            self.__sync(options)
+            return self.__sync(options)
 
     def __parse_cmd_options(self):
         parser = OptionParser(version=offlineimap.__bigversion__,
@@ -351,11 +351,13 @@ class OfflineImap:
                 offlineimap.mbnames.write(True)
 
             self.ui.terminate()
+            return 0
         except (SystemExit):
             raise
         except Exception as e:
             self.ui.error(e)
             self.ui.terminate()
+            return 1
 
     def __sync_singlethreaded(self, accs):
         """Executed if we do not want a separate syncmaster thread