diff --git a/include/rootfs.mk b/include/rootfs.mk
index 15f71ae0df..b1617215a3 100644
--- a/include/rootfs.mk
+++ b/include/rootfs.mk
@@ -60,6 +60,11 @@ define prepare_rootfs
 		cd $(1); \
 		for script in ./usr/lib/opkg/info/*.postinst; do \
 			IPKG_INSTROOT=$(1) $$(which bash) $$script; \
+			ret=$$?; \
+			if [ $$ret -ne 0 ]; then \
+				echo "postinst script $$script has failed with exit code $$ret" >&2; \
+				exit 1; \
+			fi; \
 		done; \
 		for script in ./etc/init.d/*; do \
 			grep '#!/bin/sh /etc/rc.common' $$script >/dev/null || continue; \