diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 42a9841d4..35ab3cbe3 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ test-cross:
 
 .PHONY: local-check local-build local-test local
 local-check: $(LINUXKIT_DEPS)
-	@echo gofmt... && gofmt -s -l $(filter %.go,$(LINUXKIT_DEPS))
+	@echo gofmt... && o=$$(gofmt -s -l $(filter %.go,$(LINUXKIT_DEPS))) && if [ -n "$$o" ] ; then echo $$o ; exit 1 ; fi
 	@echo govet... && go tool vet -printf=false $(filter %.go,$(LINUXKIT_DEPS))
 	@echo golint... && set -e ; for i in $(filter %.go,$(LINUXKIT_DEPS)); do golint $$i ; done
 	@echo ineffassign... && ineffassign  $(filter %.go,$(LINUXKIT_DEPS))