diff --git a/cli/recipe/release.go b/cli/recipe/release.go
index 693185eb..7bc6e21d 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/release.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/release.go
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ func getImageVersions(recipe recipe.Recipe) (map[string]string, error) {
 		case reference.NamedTagged:
 			tag = img.(reference.NamedTagged).Tag()
 		case reference.Named:
-			logrus.Fatalf("%s service is missing image tag?", path)
+			return services, fmt.Errorf("%s service is missing image tag?", path)
 		}
 
 		services[path] = tag