diff --git a/tools/release/release.sh b/tools/release/release.sh
index 54ee8117ec..9934f43610 100755
--- a/tools/release/release.sh
+++ b/tools/release/release.sh
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 #
 
+# exit when any command fails
+set -e
+
 printf "\n================================================================================\n"
 printf "|                    Welcome to the release script!                            |\n"
 printf "================================================================================\n"