diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
index 658a7b0657..293ad355b8 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
@@ -113,7 +113,13 @@ class BBCooker:
 
         bb.data.inheritFromOS(self.configuration.data)
 
-        self.parseConfigurationFiles(self.configuration.file)
+        try:
+            self.parseConfigurationFiles(self.configuration.file)
+        except SyntaxError:
+            sys.exit(1)
+        except Exception:
+            logger.exception("Error parsing configuration files")
+            sys.exit(1)
 
         if not self.configuration.cmd:
             self.configuration.cmd = bb.data.getVar("BB_DEFAULT_TASK", self.configuration.data, True) or "build"