diff --git a/usr/lib/akshara/utils/gen_rootfs.py b/usr/lib/akshara/utils/gen_rootfs.py
index 1f74b57..289c7e1 100644
--- a/usr/lib/akshara/utils/gen_rootfs.py
+++ b/usr/lib/akshara/utils/gen_rootfs.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ def gen_rootfs(system_config: dict, rootfs_path: str) -> RootFS:
             input=system_config["distro-config"]["finalise"],
             cwd=str(rootfs_path),
             env=os.environ.copy() | system_config["env"],
-        )
+        ).returncode
         != 0
     ):
         output.error("failed to finalise rootfs")