diff --git a/lib/inspec/base_cli.rb b/lib/inspec/base_cli.rb
index 87b246c4b..48a85e128 100644
--- a/lib/inspec/base_cli.rb
+++ b/lib/inspec/base_cli.rb
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ module Inspec
         end
       rescue ChefLicensing::LicenseKeyFetcher::LicenseKeyNotFetchedError
         Inspec::Log.error "#{Inspec::Dist::PRODUCT_NAME} cannot execute without valid licenses."
-        Inspec::UI.new.exit(:usage_error)
+        Inspec::UI.new.exit(:license_not_set)
       rescue ChefLicensing::Error => e
         Inspec::Log.error e.message
         Inspec::UI.new.exit(:usage_error)