diff --git a/backup.nix b/backup.nix
index be2102e..e56c9a2 100644
--- a/backup.nix
+++ b/backup.nix
@@ -15,11 +15,11 @@ let
       exit_code=0;
       for i in ''${BACKUP_HELPER_DIRS//,/ }; do
         echo "Starting backup of $i";
-        output=$(restic backup "$i" && rc=$? || rc=$?);
-        if [ $rc -ne 0 ]; then
+        output=$(restic backup "$i");
+        if [ "$?" -ne 0 ]; then
+          exit_code="$?";
           echo "Backup of $i failed with exit code $rc:"
           echo "$output"
-          exit_code="$rc";
         else
           echo "Backup of $i successful:"
           echo "$output"