diff --git a/general_utils b/general_utils
index 792749a..522be45 100644
--- a/general_utils
+++ b/general_utils
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ exec_process_substitution () {
     log_debug "$func:${LINENO} exec-ing [$*]"
 
     exec {fd}< <(eval "$@")
+
+    local __result_code=$?
     local ps_pid=$!  # remember pid of process substitution
 
     local __result=""
@@ -24,4 +26,5 @@ exec_process_substitution () {
 
     log_debug "$func:${LINENO} result=$__result"
     printf '%s' $__result
+    return $__result_code
 }