diff --git a/src/options.c b/src/options.c
index cfd6ad216..a15c4e128 100644
--- a/src/options.c
+++ b/src/options.c
@@ -472,6 +472,8 @@ parseoptions(register char *opts,boolean tinitial, boolean tfrom_file)
 
     if (optresult == optn_silenterr)
         return FALSE;
+    if (got_match && optresult == optn_err)
+        return FALSE;
     if (optresult == optn_ok)
         return retval;