diff --git a/gazelle/modules_mapping/generator.py b/gazelle/modules_mapping/generator.py
index d5ddca2ef2..ea11f3e236 100644
--- a/gazelle/modules_mapping/generator.py
+++ b/gazelle/modules_mapping/generator.py
@@ -164,4 +164,4 @@ def data_has_purelib_or_platlib(path):
     generator = Generator(
         sys.stderr, args.output_file, args.exclude_patterns, args.include_stub_packages
     )
-    exit(generator.run(args.wheels))
+    sys.exit(generator.run(args.wheels))