diff --git a/load.py b/load.py
index 51cea45..78c10ad 100644
--- a/load.py
+++ b/load.py
@@ -4,7 +4,11 @@
 
 
 async def load_redis():
-    # instantiate the class that does all the work
+    """
+    instantiate the class that does all the work
+
+    :return: Exit code (0 on success, 1 on failure)
+    """
     loader = NodeLoader()
 
     # call to load redis instances with normalized node data
@@ -13,9 +17,10 @@ async def load_redis():
     # check the return
     if not success:
         print('Failed to load node normalization data.')
+        return 1
     else:
         print('Success')
-    return success
+        return 0
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':