diff --git a/engine/src/flutter/impeller/tools/build_metal_library.py b/engine/src/flutter/impeller/tools/build_metal_library.py
index 76ff59d1e3a..52865e95506 100644
--- a/engine/src/flutter/impeller/tools/build_metal_library.py
+++ b/engine/src/flutter/impeller/tools/build_metal_library.py
@@ -111,10 +111,16 @@ def main():
 
   command += args.source
 
-  subprocess.check_output(command, stderr=subprocess.STDOUT)
+  try:
+    subprocess.check_output(command, stderr=subprocess.STDOUT, text=True)
+  except subprocess.CalledProcessError as cpe:
+    print(cpe.output)
+    return cpe.returncode
+
+  return 0
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
   if sys.platform != 'darwin':
     raise Exception('This script only runs on Mac')
-  main()
+  sys.exit(main())