diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index be6359bd..ee21f717 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ procps-ng-NEXT
   * slabtop: Don't combine d and o options                 issue #160
   * sysctl: Add support for systemd glob patterns          issue #191
   * sysctl: Check resolved path to be under /proc/sys      issue #179
+  * sysctl: return non-zero if EINVAL return for write     merge #76
   * top: added LOGID similar to 3.3.13 ps LUID
   * top: added EXE identical to 3.3.17 ps EXE
   * top: exploit some library smaps_rollup provisions      issue #112
diff --git a/sysctl.c b/sysctl.c
index 41806601..75636b79 100644
--- a/sysctl.c
+++ b/sysctl.c
@@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ static int WriteSetting(
 		rc = EXIT_SUCCESS;
             if (close_stream(fp) != 0) {
                 xwarn(_("setting key \"%s\""), path);
-                return rc;
+                return EXIT_FAILURE;
             }
         }
     }