diff --git a/builder/amazon/common/step_pre_validate.go b/builder/amazon/common/step_pre_validate.go
index 018457b21..475d2065c 100644
--- a/builder/amazon/common/step_pre_validate.go
+++ b/builder/amazon/common/step_pre_validate.go
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ func (s *StepPreValidate) Run(_ context.Context, state multistep.StateBag) multi
 							" to pass authentication... trying again.")
 						return false, nil
 					}
+					return true, err
 				} else {
 					return true, nil
 				}