diff --git a/forgejo-release.sh b/forgejo-release.sh
index 6377389..c88c578 100755
--- a/forgejo-release.sh
+++ b/forgejo-release.sh
@@ -90,9 +90,11 @@ upload_release() {
                 assets=("${assets[@]}" -a "$file")
             done
         else
-            echo "Warning: $RELEASE_DIR is empty or nonexistent. No assets will be uploaded."
+            echo "fatal: $RELEASE_DIR contains no assets or does not exist"
+            return 1
         fi
     fi
+
     if $PRERELEASE || echo "${TAG}" | grep -qi '\-rc'; then
         releaseType="--prerelease"
         echo "Uploading as Pre-Release"