diff --git a/sceptre/cli/helpers.py b/sceptre/cli/helpers.py
index b5749c529..b8f9cbbc0 100644
--- a/sceptre/cli/helpers.py
+++ b/sceptre/cli/helpers.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import logging
 import sys
+
 from itertools import cycle
 from functools import partial, wraps
 
@@ -31,14 +32,14 @@ def catch_exceptions(func):
     def decorated(*args, **kwargs):
         """
         Invokes ``func``, catches expected errors, prints the error message and
-        exits sceptre with a non-zero exit code.
+        re-raises.
         """
         try:
             return func(*args, **kwargs)
         except (SceptreException, BotoCoreError, ClientError, Boto3Error,
                 TemplateError) as error:
             write(error)
-            sys.exit(1)
+            raise
 
     return decorated
 
diff --git a/tests/test_cli.py b/tests/test_cli.py
index 1fe02ac21..66f5120da 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/test_cli.py
@@ -55,14 +55,13 @@ def teardown_method(self, test_method):
         self.patcher_ConfigReader.stop()
         self.patcher_StackActions.stop()
 
-    @patch("sys.exit")
-    def test_catch_excecptions(self, mock_exit):
+    def test_catch_excecptions(self):
         @catch_exceptions
         def raises_exception():
             raise SceptreException()
 
-        raises_exception()
-        mock_exit.assert_called_once_with(1)
+        with pytest.raises(SceptreException):
+            raises_exception()
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize("command,files,output", [
         # one --var option