diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index e3ce9e4..1b7811a 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -1505,7 +1505,8 @@
 
 
 /*
- * Exit properly.
+ * Exit properly.  This is the only way to exit Vim after startup has
+ * succeeded.  We are certain to exit here, no way to abort it.
  */
     void
 getout(int exitval)
@@ -1521,6 +1522,11 @@
     if (exmode_active)
 	exitval += ex_exitval;
 
+#ifdef FEAT_EVAL
+    set_vim_var_type(VV_EXITING, VAR_NUMBER);
+    set_vim_var_nr(VV_EXITING, exitval);
+#endif
+
     // Position the cursor on the last screen line, below all the text
 #ifdef FEAT_GUI
     if (!gui.in_use)