diff --git a/packer/build.go b/packer/build.go
index c5f2b1383..e5ff54b72 100644
--- a/packer/build.go
+++ b/packer/build.go
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ func (b *CoreBuild) Run(ctx context.Context, originalUi packersdk.Ui) ([]packers
 	select {
 	case <-ctx.Done():
 		log.Println("Build was cancelled. Skipping post-processors.")
-		return nil, nil
+		return nil, ctx.Err()
 	default:
 	}