diff --git a/command.go b/command.go
index 2b82a553d..4e3d64df2 100644
--- a/command.go
+++ b/command.go
@@ -961,7 +961,7 @@ func (c *Command) ExecuteC() (cmd *Command, err error) {
 		// effect
 		if err == flag.ErrHelp {
 			cmd.HelpFunc()(cmd, args)
-			return cmd, nil
+			return cmd, err
 		}
 
 		// If root command has SilenceErrors flagged,