diff --git a/scsh/scsh.scm b/scsh/scsh.scm
index 37815dc..dc72cd1 100644
--- a/scsh/scsh.scm
+++ b/scsh/scsh.scm
@@ -1139,11 +1139,14 @@
     proc))
 
 (define (exit . maybe-status)
-  (call-exit-hooks-and-narrow
-   (lambda ()
-     (exit/errno (:optional  maybe-status 0))
-     (display "The evil undead walk the earth." 2)
-     (if #t (error "(exit) returned.")))))
+  (let ((status (:optional  maybe-status 0)))
+    (if (not (integer? status))
+        (error "non-integer argument to exit"))
+    (call-exit-hooks-and-narrow
+     (lambda ()
+       (exit/errno status)
+       (display "The evil undead walk the earth." 2)
+       (if #t (error "(exit) returned."))))))
 
 
 ;;; The classic T 2.0 primitive.