diff --git a/scripts/devtool b/scripts/devtool
index 219749365c..578db5a68b 100755
--- a/scripts/devtool
+++ b/scripts/devtool
@@ -288,11 +288,14 @@ def main():
     scriptutils.logger_setup_color(logger, global_args.color)
 
     if global_args.bbpath is None:
-        tinfoil = setup_tinfoil(config_only=True, basepath=basepath)
         try:
-            global_args.bbpath = tinfoil.config_data.getVar('BBPATH', True)
-        finally:
-            tinfoil.shutdown()
+            tinfoil = setup_tinfoil(config_only=True, basepath=basepath)
+            try:
+                global_args.bbpath = tinfoil.config_data.getVar('BBPATH', True)
+            finally:
+                tinfoil.shutdown()
+        except bb.BBHandledException:
+            return 2
 
     # Search BBPATH first to allow layers to override plugins in scripts_path
     for path in global_args.bbpath.split(':') + [scripts_path]: