diff --git a/src/kernel-install/kernel-install.c b/src/kernel-install/kernel-install.c
index 97c4b3a352..27cfa08908 100644
--- a/src/kernel-install/kernel-install.c
+++ b/src/kernel-install/kernel-install.c
@@ -1621,7 +1621,7 @@ static int parse_argv(int argc, char *argv[], Context *c) {
 
                 case ARG_JSON:
                         r = parse_json_argument(optarg, &arg_json_format_flags);
-                        if (r < 0)
+                        if (r <= 0)
                                 return r;
                         break;