diff --git a/crates/nu_plugin_stress_internals/src/main.rs b/crates/nu_plugin_stress_internals/src/main.rs
index 3f95d5ef02..b05defe278 100644
--- a/crates/nu_plugin_stress_internals/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/nu_plugin_stress_internals/src/main.rs
@@ -114,6 +114,8 @@ pub fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
             Err(err) => {
                 if err.is_eof() {
                     break;
+                } else if err.is_io() {
+                    std::process::exit(1);
                 } else {
                     return Err(err.into());
                 }