diff --git a/programs/ssl/ssl_client2.c b/programs/ssl/ssl_client2.c
index ca4d7c74e..591f4c49e 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/ssl_client2.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/ssl_client2.c
@@ -805,6 +805,10 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
+    // Shell can not handle large exit numbers -> 1 for errors
+    if( ret < 0 )
+        ret = 1;
+
     return( ret );
 }
 #endif /* POLARSSL_BIGNUM_C && POLARSSL_ENTROPY_C && POLARSSL_SSL_TLS_C &&
diff --git a/programs/ssl/ssl_server2.c b/programs/ssl/ssl_server2.c
index c12e2d031..9628afb06 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/ssl_server2.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/ssl_server2.c
@@ -865,6 +865,10 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
+    // Shell can not handle large exit numbers -> 1 for errors
+    if( ret < 0 )
+        ret = 1;
+
     return( ret );
 }
 #endif /* POLARSSL_BIGNUM_C && POLARSSL_ENTROPY_C && POLARSSL_SSL_TLS_C &&