diff --git a/releng/run_all_releng b/releng/run_all_releng
index aa63294f..c4ef3cd1 100755
--- a/releng/run_all_releng
+++ b/releng/run_all_releng
@@ -129,9 +129,17 @@ fi
     T1=`date '+%s'`
     set +e
 
-    return_wrapper ./${s} ${PASSED_OPTIONS} 2>&1 | count_lines >> ${CLOG}
-    RET=$(cat "$return_value_file")
-    rm "$return_value_file"
+    if test -n "$PIPESTATUS"
+    then
+      # PIPESTATUS[0] should be available in bash
+      ./${s} ${PASSED_OPTIONS} 2>&1 | count_lines >> ${CLOG}
+      RET="${PIPESTATUS[0]}"
+    else
+      # a more portable method which uses a temporary file to record exit value
+      return_wrapper ./${s} ${PASSED_OPTIONS} 2>&1 | count_lines >> ${CLOG}
+      RET=$(cat "$return_value_file")
+      rm "$return_value_file"
+    fi
 #   echo "RET='$RET'" >/dev/tty
 
     T2=`date '+%s'`