diff --git a/notes.c b/notes.c
index 03e7d0cd2d..928dde8b34 100644
--- a/notes.c
+++ b/notes.c
@@ -967,7 +967,7 @@ static int notes_display_config(const char *k, const char *v, void *cb)
 
 	if (*load_refs && !strcmp(k, "notes.displayref")) {
 		if (!v)
-			config_error_nonbool(k);
+			return config_error_nonbool(k);
 		string_list_add_refs_by_glob(&display_notes_refs, v);
 	}