diff --git a/lib/ruby_wasm/build_system/product/zlib.rb b/lib/ruby_wasm/build_system/product/zlib.rb
index 61a3610b71..f2f304e55c 100644
--- a/lib/ruby_wasm/build_system/product/zlib.rb
+++ b/lib/ruby_wasm/build_system/product/zlib.rb
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ def build
       FileUtils.rm_rf product_build_dir
 
       system "curl -L https://zlib.net/zlib-#{ZLIB_VERSION}.tar.gz | tar xz",
-             chdir: File.dirname(product_build_dir)
+             chdir: File.dirname(product_build_dir),
+             exception: true
 
       system "#{tools_args.join(" ")} ./configure --static",
              chdir: product_build_dir