diff --git a/cmd/containerd/command/main.go b/cmd/containerd/command/main.go
index 74d6a09ee..e6c81443c 100644
--- a/cmd/containerd/command/main.go
+++ b/cmd/containerd/command/main.go
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ can be used and modified as necessary as a custom configuration.`
 			return ctx.Err()
 		case r := <-chsrv:
 			if r.err != nil {
-				return err
+				return r.err
 			}
 			server = r.s
 		}