diff --git a/builder/virtualbox/step_download_iso.go b/builder/virtualbox/step_download_iso.go
index ffa86b9e5..124e30c19 100644
--- a/builder/virtualbox/step_download_iso.go
+++ b/builder/virtualbox/step_download_iso.go
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ DownloadWaitLoop:
 				err := fmt.Errorf("Error downloading ISO: %s", err)
 				state["error"] = err
 				ui.Error(err.Error())
+				return multistep.ActionHalt
 			}
 
 			break DownloadWaitLoop
diff --git a/builder/vmware/step_download_iso.go b/builder/vmware/step_download_iso.go
index 84e9f921e..bea1335f1 100644
--- a/builder/vmware/step_download_iso.go
+++ b/builder/vmware/step_download_iso.go
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ DownloadWaitLoop:
 				err := fmt.Errorf("Error downloading ISO: %s", err)
 				state["error"] = err
 				ui.Error(err.Error())
+				return multistep.ActionHalt
 			}
 
 			break DownloadWaitLoop