diff --git a/.github/workflows/test_vuln_thresholds.yml b/.github/workflows/test_vuln_thresholds.yml
index 6f43c2a..02ee555 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test_vuln_thresholds.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test_vuln_thresholds.yml
@@ -42,8 +42,7 @@ jobs:
           other_threshold: 1
 
       - name: Test threshold flag
-        run: export return_code=${{ steps.inspector.outputs.vulnerability_threshold_exceeded }}; echo $return_code; echo done
-
+        run: return_code=$(echo {{ steps.inspector.outputs.vulnerability_threshold_exceeded }}); if [ "$return_code" != "1" ]; then exit 1; fi
 
       # only run if the previous step failed
       - name: Notify maintainers of validation failure