diff --git a/plugins/c9.cli.publish/publish.js b/plugins/c9.cli.publish/publish.js
index 02aefdc5..516d1374 100644
--- a/plugins/c9.cli.publish/publish.js
+++ b/plugins/c9.cli.publish/publish.js
@@ -740,6 +740,7 @@ define(function(require, exports, module) {
                                     var err = code !== 0
                                         ? new Error("Failed to unpack package")
                                         : null;
+                                    if (err) return callback(err)
                                     
                                     proc.spawn(join(process.env.HOME, ".c9/node/bin/npm"), {
                                         args: ["install"],