diff --git a/ChangeLog.d/unified-exit-in-examples.txt b/ChangeLog.d/unified-exit-in-examples.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3ef9798ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ChangeLog.d/unified-exit-in-examples.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+Changes
+   * Unify the example programs termination to call mbedtls_exit() instead of
+     using a return command. This has been done to enable customization of the
+     behavior in bare metal environments.
diff --git a/programs/aes/aescrypt2.c b/programs/aes/aescrypt2.c
index 8edf85f33..f17c641b0 100644
--- a/programs/aes/aescrypt2.c
+++ b/programs/aes/aescrypt2.c
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_AES_C and/or MBEDTLS_SHA256_C "
                     "and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or MBEDTLS_MD_C "
                     "not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -465,6 +465,6 @@ exit:
     mbedtls_aes_free( &aes_ctx );
     mbedtls_md_free( &sha_ctx );
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_AES_C && MBEDTLS_SHA256_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/aes/crypt_and_hash.c b/programs/aes/crypt_and_hash.c
index 6edb19621..1e03d43ae 100644
--- a/programs/aes/crypt_and_hash.c
+++ b/programs/aes/crypt_and_hash.c
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_CIPHER_C and/or MBEDTLS_MD_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -563,6 +563,6 @@ exit:
     mbedtls_cipher_free( &cipher_ctx );
     mbedtls_md_free( &md_ctx );
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_CIPHER_C && MBEDTLS_MD_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/hash/generic_sum.c b/programs/hash/generic_sum.c
index 709a149e0..97f7a46f9 100644
--- a/programs/hash/generic_sum.c
+++ b/programs/hash/generic_sum.c
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_MD_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
         fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-        return( exit_code );
+        mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
     }
 
     /*
@@ -213,12 +213,12 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
     if( md_info == NULL )
     {
         mbedtls_fprintf( stderr, "Message Digest '%s' not found\n", argv[1] );
-        return( exit_code );
+        mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
     }
     if( mbedtls_md_setup( &md_ctx, md_info, 0 ) )
     {
         mbedtls_fprintf( stderr, "Failed to initialize context.\n" );
-        return( exit_code );
+        mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
     }
 
     ret = 0;
@@ -237,6 +237,6 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
 exit:
     mbedtls_md_free( &md_ctx );
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_MD_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/hash/hello.c b/programs/hash/hello.c
index 55a0c7e74..66fd31554 100644
--- a/programs/hash/hello.c
+++ b/programs/hash/hello.c
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_MD5_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf( "\n  MD5('%s') = ", str );
 
     if( ( ret = mbedtls_md5_ret( (unsigned char *) str, 13, digest ) ) != 0 )
-        return( MBEDTLS_EXIT_FAILURE );
+        mbedtls_exit( MBEDTLS_EXIT_FAILURE );
 
     for( i = 0; i < 16; i++ )
         mbedtls_printf( "%02x", digest[i] );
@@ -70,6 +70,6 @@ int main( void )
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( MBEDTLS_EXIT_SUCCESS );
+    mbedtls_exit( MBEDTLS_EXIT_SUCCESS );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_MD5_C */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/dh_client.c b/programs/pkey/dh_client.c
index 86b260ca0..90fc4e546 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/dh_client.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/dh_client.c
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ int main( void )
            "and/or MBEDTLS_NET_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_SHA256_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_AES_C && MBEDTLS_DHM_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C &&
           MBEDTLS_NET_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C && MBEDTLS_SHA256_C &&
diff --git a/programs/pkey/dh_genprime.c b/programs/pkey/dh_genprime.c
index bf5482ed0..5293f899c 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/dh_genprime.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/dh_genprime.c
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_GENPRIME not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     {
     usage:
         mbedtls_printf( USAGE );
-        return( exit_code );
+        mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
     }
 
     for( i = 1; i < argc; i++ )
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO &&
           MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C && MBEDTLS_GENPRIME */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/dh_server.c b/programs/pkey/dh_server.c
index c01177485..06676c08d 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/dh_server.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/dh_server.c
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ int main( void )
            "and/or MBEDTLS_NET_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_SHA256_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_AES_C && MBEDTLS_DHM_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C &&
           MBEDTLS_NET_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C && MBEDTLS_SHA256_C &&
diff --git a/programs/pkey/ecdh_curve25519.c b/programs/pkey/ecdh_curve25519.c
index 9f849dd29..e79dce09a 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/ecdh_curve25519.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/ecdh_curve25519.c
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ int main( void )
                     "MBEDTLS_ECP_DP_CURVE25519_ENABLED and/or "
                     "MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C "
                     "not defined\n" );
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ exit:
     mbedtls_ctr_drbg_free( &ctr_drbg );
     mbedtls_entropy_free( &entropy );
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_ECDH_C && MBEDTLS_ECP_DP_CURVE25519_ENABLED &&
           MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/ecdsa.c b/programs/pkey/ecdsa.c
index 9feb16090..72744e75f 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/ecdsa.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/ecdsa.c
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_ECDSA_C and/or MBEDTLS_SHA256_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C not defined\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 #if defined(VERBOSE)
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ exit:
     mbedtls_ctr_drbg_free( &ctr_drbg );
     mbedtls_entropy_free( &entropy );
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_ECDSA_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C &&
           ECPARAMS */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/gen_key.c b/programs/pkey/gen_key.c
index 9c1a91c00..c5d8ac9b9 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/gen_key.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/gen_key.c
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ int main( void )
             "MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_PEM_WRITE_C"
             "not defined.\n" );
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_PK_WRITE_C && MBEDTLS_PEM_WRITE_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO &&
         * MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/key_app.c b/programs/pkey/key_app.c
index 345b7b884..d7387f3e3 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/key_app.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/key_app.c
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -311,6 +311,6 @@ cleanup:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/key_app_writer.c b/programs/pkey/key_app_writer.c
index 937fe9033..46cb70410 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/key_app_writer.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/key_app_writer.c
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf( "MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C and/or MBEDTLS_PK_WRITE_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n" );
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -436,6 +436,6 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C && MBEDTLS_PK_WRITE_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/mpi_demo.c b/programs/pkey/mpi_demo.c
index ecdcd329a..816378137 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/mpi_demo.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/mpi_demo.c
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -112,6 +112,6 @@ cleanup:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/pk_decrypt.c b/programs/pkey/pk_decrypt.c
index 44d094e33..494bb80ad 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/pk_decrypt.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/pk_decrypt.c
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO &&
           MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/pk_encrypt.c b/programs/pkey/pk_encrypt.c
index 16cd3f0d0..673e2cb5a 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/pk_encrypt.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/pk_encrypt.c
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C &&
           MBEDTLS_FS_IO && MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/pk_sign.c b/programs/pkey/pk_sign.c
index 4e755c089..3504bffe0 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/pk_sign.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/pk_sign.c
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ int main( void )
            "MBEDTLS_SHA256_C and/or MBEDTLS_MD_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C &&
           MBEDTLS_SHA256_C && MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO &&
diff --git a/programs/pkey/pk_verify.c b/programs/pkey/pk_verify.c
index 2e0876304..b1374b6cf 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/pk_verify.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/pk_verify.c
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or MBEDTLS_MD_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_SHA256_C and/or MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_SHA256_C &&
           MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/rsa_decrypt.c b/programs/pkey/rsa_decrypt.c
index 4cfe40016..6aca217e0 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/rsa_decrypt.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/rsa_decrypt.c
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -207,6 +207,6 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/rsa_encrypt.c b/programs/pkey/rsa_encrypt.c
index 4a71c15dd..48f01abbc 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/rsa_encrypt.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/rsa_encrypt.c
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C &&
           MBEDTLS_FS_IO && MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/rsa_genkey.c b/programs/pkey/rsa_genkey.c
index f2b7b5078..719923a96 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/rsa_genkey.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/rsa_genkey.c
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or MBEDTLS_GENPRIME and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C &&
           MBEDTLS_GENPRIME && MBEDTLS_FS_IO && MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/rsa_sign.c b/programs/pkey/rsa_sign.c
index 78ab176f8..38a1f3d4c 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/rsa_sign.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/rsa_sign.c
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_MD_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_SHA256_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C && MBEDTLS_SHA256_C &&
           MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/rsa_sign_pss.c b/programs/pkey/rsa_sign_pss.c
index 5019f28f5..938b93af4 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/rsa_sign_pss.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/rsa_sign_pss.c
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ int main( void )
            "MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or MBEDTLS_SHA256_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C &&
           MBEDTLS_SHA256_C && MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO &&
diff --git a/programs/pkey/rsa_verify.c b/programs/pkey/rsa_verify.c
index 74248f9f9..8ea5d51a3 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/rsa_verify.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/rsa_verify.c
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_MD_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_SHA256_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C && MBEDTLS_SHA256_C &&
           MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/pkey/rsa_verify_pss.c b/programs/pkey/rsa_verify_pss.c
index de28337c8..5e4e98e8b 100644
--- a/programs/pkey/rsa_verify_pss.c
+++ b/programs/pkey/rsa_verify_pss.c
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ int main( void )
            "MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or MBEDTLS_SHA256_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C && MBEDTLS_SHA256_C &&
           MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/random/gen_entropy.c b/programs/random/gen_entropy.c
index c60aec966..e981b9a62 100644
--- a/programs/random/gen_entropy.c
+++ b/programs/random/gen_entropy.c
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -63,13 +63,13 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
     if( argc < 2 )
     {
         mbedtls_fprintf( stderr, "usage: %s <output filename>\n", argv[0] );
-        return( exit_code );
+        mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
     }
 
     if( ( f = fopen( argv[1], "wb+" ) ) == NULL )
     {
         mbedtls_printf( "failed to open '%s' for writing.\n", argv[1] );
-        return( exit_code );
+        mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
     }
 
     mbedtls_entropy_init( &entropy );
@@ -99,6 +99,6 @@ cleanup:
     fclose( f );
     mbedtls_entropy_free( &entropy );
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C */
diff --git a/programs/random/gen_random_ctr_drbg.c b/programs/random/gen_random_ctr_drbg.c
index 59df34b66..b0882767a 100644
--- a/programs/random/gen_random_ctr_drbg.c
+++ b/programs/random/gen_random_ctr_drbg.c
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -69,13 +69,13 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
     if( argc < 2 )
     {
         mbedtls_fprintf( stderr, "usage: %s <output filename>\n", argv[0] );
-        return( exit_code );
+        mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
     }
 
     if( ( f = fopen( argv[1], "wb+" ) ) == NULL )
     {
         mbedtls_printf( "failed to open '%s' for writing.\n", argv[1] );
-        return( exit_code );
+        mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
     }
 
     mbedtls_entropy_init( &entropy );
@@ -132,6 +132,6 @@ cleanup:
     mbedtls_ctr_drbg_free( &ctr_drbg );
     mbedtls_entropy_free( &entropy );
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C */
diff --git a/programs/random/gen_random_havege.c b/programs/random/gen_random_havege.c
index 5ea52aec9..6a65de093 100644
--- a/programs/random/gen_random_havege.c
+++ b/programs/random/gen_random_havege.c
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_HAVEGE_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -65,13 +65,13 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
     if( argc < 2 )
     {
         mbedtls_fprintf( stderr, "usage: %s <output filename>\n", argv[0] );
-        return( exit_code );
+        mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
     }
 
     if( ( f = fopen( argv[1], "wb+" ) ) == NULL )
     {
         mbedtls_printf( "failed to open '%s' for writing.\n", argv[1] );
-        return( exit_code );
+        mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
     }
 
     mbedtls_havege_init( &hs );
@@ -104,6 +104,6 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
 exit:
     mbedtls_havege_free( &hs );
     fclose( f );
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_HAVEGE_C */
diff --git a/programs/ssl/dtls_client.c b/programs/ssl/dtls_client.c
index ce1056fa2..a0f4a5fbd 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/dtls_client.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/dtls_client.c
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 #include "mbedtls/platform.h"
 #else
 #include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
 #define mbedtls_printf     printf
 #define mbedtls_fprintf    fprintf
 #define mbedtls_exit            exit
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ int main( void )
             "MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_X509_CRT_PARSE_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_CERTS_C and/or MBEDTLS_PEM_PARSE_C not defined.\n" );
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -355,7 +356,7 @@ exit:
     if( ret < 0 )
         ret = 1;
 
-    return( ret );
+    mbedtls_exit( ret );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_SSL_CLI_C && MBEDTLS_SSL_PROTO_DTLS && MBEDTLS_NET_C &&
           MBEDTLD_TIMING_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C &&
diff --git a/programs/ssl/dtls_server.c b/programs/ssl/dtls_server.c
index f63741f25..dd88f95a6 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/dtls_server.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/dtls_server.c
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 #include "mbedtls/platform.h"
 #else
 #include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
 #define mbedtls_printf     printf
 #define mbedtls_fprintf    fprintf
 #define mbedtls_time_t     time_t
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ int main( void )
             "MBEDTLS_X509_CRT_PARSE_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_CERTS_C and/or MBEDTLS_PEM_PARSE_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_TIMING_C not defined.\n" );
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -430,7 +431,7 @@ exit:
     if( ret < 0 )
         ret = 1;
 
-    return( ret );
+    mbedtls_exit( ret );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_SSL_SRV_C && MBEDTLS_SSL_PROTO_DTLS &&
           MBEDTLS_SSL_COOKIE_C && MBEDTLS_NET_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C &&
diff --git a/programs/ssl/mini_client.c b/programs/ssl/mini_client.c
index b4346bb54..5a153ccf2 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/mini_client.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/mini_client.c
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf( "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_NET_C and/or MBEDTLS_SSL_CLI_C and/or UNIX "
             "not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -296,6 +296,6 @@ exit:
     mbedtls_x509_crt_free( &ca );
 #endif
 
-    return( ret );
+    mbedtls_exit( ret );
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/programs/ssl/ssl_client1.c b/programs/ssl/ssl_client1.c
index 3724c6411..00fbe7f3c 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/ssl_client1.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/ssl_client1.c
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ int main( void )
            "MBEDTLS_NET_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or MBEDTLS_X509_CRT_PARSE_C "
            "not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_SSL_TLS_C &&
           MBEDTLS_SSL_CLI_C && MBEDTLS_NET_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C &&
diff --git a/programs/ssl/ssl_client2.c b/programs/ssl/ssl_client2.c
index 2a4df131d..486b6a6b0 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/ssl_client2.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/ssl_client2.c
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_SSL_TLS_C and/or MBEDTLS_SSL_CLI_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_NET_C and/or MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -1718,7 +1718,7 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
         }
         else if( strcmp( p, "query_config" ) == 0 )
         {
-            return query_config( q );
+            mbedtls_exit( query_config( q ) );
         }
         else if( strcmp( p, "serialize") == 0 )
         {
@@ -3425,7 +3425,7 @@ exit:
     if( ret < 0 )
         ret = 1;
 
-    return( ret );
+    mbedtls_exit( ret );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_SSL_TLS_C &&
           MBEDTLS_SSL_CLI_C && MBEDTLS_NET_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C &&
diff --git a/programs/ssl/ssl_fork_server.c b/programs/ssl/ssl_fork_server.c
index 851bc0536..d36aacbc0 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/ssl_fork_server.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/ssl_fork_server.c
@@ -54,14 +54,14 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
            "MBEDTLS_NET_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or MBEDTLS_X509_CRT_PARSE_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_TIMING_C and/or MBEDTLS_PEM_PARSE_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #elif defined(_WIN32)
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("_WIN32 defined. This application requires fork() and signals "
            "to work correctly.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_CERTS_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C &&
           MBEDTLS_SSL_TLS_C && MBEDTLS_SSL_SRV_C && MBEDTLS_NET_C &&
diff --git a/programs/ssl/ssl_mail_client.c b/programs/ssl/ssl_mail_client.c
index 3163e2124..08ff02595 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/ssl_mail_client.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/ssl_mail_client.c
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ int main( void )
            "MBEDTLS_NET_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or MBEDTLS_X509_CRT_PARSE_C "
            "not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -853,7 +853,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_SSL_TLS_C &&
           MBEDTLS_SSL_CLI_C && MBEDTLS_NET_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C **
diff --git a/programs/ssl/ssl_pthread_server.c b/programs/ssl/ssl_pthread_server.c
index 0624d3363..3496ef6a5 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/ssl_pthread_server.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/ssl_pthread_server.c
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ int main( void )
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or MBEDTLS_X509_CRT_PARSE_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_THREADING_C and/or MBEDTLS_THREADING_PTHREAD "
            "and/or MBEDTLS_PEM_PARSE_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( ret );
+    mbedtls_exit( ret );
 }
 
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_CERTS_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C &&
diff --git a/programs/ssl/ssl_server.c b/programs/ssl/ssl_server.c
index 9668cf93e..9cba88714 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/ssl_server.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/ssl_server.c
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ int main( void )
            "MBEDTLS_NET_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or MBEDTLS_X509_CRT_PARSE_C "
            "and/or MBEDTLS_PEM_PARSE_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -397,7 +397,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( ret );
+    mbedtls_exit( ret );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_CERTS_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C &&
           MBEDTLS_SSL_TLS_C && MBEDTLS_SSL_SRV_C && MBEDTLS_NET_C &&
diff --git a/programs/ssl/ssl_server2.c b/programs/ssl/ssl_server2.c
index 40f328e08..5dd18715f 100644
--- a/programs/ssl/ssl_server2.c
+++ b/programs/ssl/ssl_server2.c
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ int main( void )
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_SSL_TLS_C and/or MBEDTLS_SSL_SRV_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_NET_C and/or MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -2417,7 +2417,7 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
         }
         else if( strcmp( p, "query_config" ) == 0 )
         {
-            return query_config( q );
+            mbedtls_exit( query_config( q ) );
         }
         else if( strcmp( p, "serialize") == 0 )
         {
@@ -4384,7 +4384,7 @@ exit:
     if( ret < 0 )
         ret = 1;
 
-    return( ret );
+    mbedtls_exit( ret );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_SSL_TLS_C &&
           MBEDTLS_SSL_SRV_C && MBEDTLS_NET_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C &&
diff --git a/programs/test/benchmark.c b/programs/test/benchmark.c
index 157593066..efd6ee118 100644
--- a/programs/test/benchmark.c
+++ b/programs/test/benchmark.c
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_TIMING_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -1065,7 +1065,7 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_TIMING_C */
diff --git a/programs/test/selftest.c b/programs/test/selftest.c
index bd28e9a36..3fa05f315 100644
--- a/programs/test/selftest.c
+++ b/programs/test/selftest.c
@@ -500,7 +500,5 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
     if( suites_failed > 0)
         mbedtls_exit( MBEDTLS_EXIT_FAILURE );
 
-    /* return() is here to prevent compiler warnings */
-    return( MBEDTLS_EXIT_SUCCESS );
+    mbedtls_exit( MBEDTLS_EXIT_SUCCESS );
 }
-
diff --git a/programs/test/udp_proxy.c b/programs/test/udp_proxy.c
index d601dcc69..94bae4334 100644
--- a/programs/test/udp_proxy.c
+++ b/programs/test/udp_proxy.c
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@
 #define mbedtls_printf          printf
 #define mbedtls_calloc          calloc
 #define mbedtls_free            free
+#define mbedtls_exit            exit
 #define MBEDTLS_EXIT_SUCCESS    EXIT_SUCCESS
 #define MBEDTLS_EXIT_FAILURE    EXIT_FAILURE
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_PLATFORM_C */
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf( "MBEDTLS_NET_C not defined.\n" );
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -181,7 +182,7 @@ static void exit_usage( const char *name, const char *value )
         mbedtls_printf( " option %s: illegal value: %s\n", name, value );
 
     mbedtls_printf( USAGE );
-    exit( 1 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 1 );
 }
 
 static void get_options( int argc, char *argv[] )
@@ -1019,7 +1020,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_NET_C */
diff --git a/programs/test/zeroize.c b/programs/test/zeroize.c
index 29cc0ac3c..c670a6b58 100644
--- a/programs/test/zeroize.c
+++ b/programs/test/zeroize.c
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@
 #else
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #define mbedtls_printf     printf
+#define mbedtls_exit       exit
 #define MBEDTLS_EXIT_SUCCESS EXIT_SUCCESS
 #define MBEDTLS_EXIT_FAILURE EXIT_FAILURE
 #endif
@@ -72,14 +73,14 @@ int main( int argc, char** argv )
     {
         mbedtls_printf( "This program takes exactly 1 agument\n" );
         usage();
-        return( exit_code );
+        mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
     }
 
     fp = fopen( argv[1], "r" );
     if( fp == NULL )
     {
         mbedtls_printf( "Could not open file '%s'\n", argv[1] );
-        return( exit_code );
+        mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
     }
 
     while( ( c = fgetc( fp ) ) != EOF && p < end - 1 )
@@ -97,5 +98,5 @@ int main( int argc, char** argv )
     fclose( fp );
     mbedtls_platform_zeroize( buf, sizeof( buf ) );
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
diff --git a/programs/util/pem2der.c b/programs/util/pem2der.c
index f18493926..f1961a145 100644
--- a/programs/util/pem2der.c
+++ b/programs/util/pem2der.c
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BASE64_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -290,6 +290,6 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BASE64_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/util/strerror.c b/programs/util/strerror.c
index b0487c08e..45ddd4e20 100644
--- a/programs/util/strerror.c
+++ b/programs/util/strerror.c
@@ -29,7 +29,9 @@
 #include "mbedtls/platform.h"
 #else
 #include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
 #define mbedtls_printf     printf
+#define mbedtls_exit       exit
 #endif
 
 #if defined(MBEDTLS_ERROR_C) || defined(MBEDTLS_ERROR_STRERROR_DUMMY)
@@ -48,7 +50,7 @@
 int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_ERROR_C and/or MBEDTLS_ERROR_STRERROR_DUMMY not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
@@ -59,7 +61,7 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
     if( argc != 2 )
     {
         mbedtls_printf( USAGE );
-        return( 0 );
+        mbedtls_exit( 0 );
     }
 
     val = strtol( argv[1], &end, 10 );
@@ -87,6 +89,6 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( val );
+    mbedtls_exit( val );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_ERROR_C */
diff --git a/programs/x509/cert_app.c b/programs/x509/cert_app.c
index 7723a372e..1b364ddae 100644
--- a/programs/x509/cert_app.c
+++ b/programs/x509/cert_app.c
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ int main( void )
            "MBEDTLS_NET_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_X509_CRT_PARSE_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_SSL_TLS_C &&
           MBEDTLS_SSL_CLI_C && MBEDTLS_NET_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C &&
diff --git a/programs/x509/cert_req.c b/programs/x509/cert_req.c
index f3d915750..81e0d8c94 100644
--- a/programs/x509/cert_req.c
+++ b/programs/x509/cert_req.c
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ int main( void )
             "MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C and/or MBEDTLS_SHA256_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C "
             "not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_X509_CSR_WRITE_C && MBEDTLS_PK_PARSE_C && MBEDTLS_FS_IO &&
           MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C && MBEDTLS_PEM_WRITE_C */
diff --git a/programs/x509/cert_write.c b/programs/x509/cert_write.c
index 9a7dc591d..318f22660 100644
--- a/programs/x509/cert_write.c
+++ b/programs/x509/cert_write.c
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ int main( void )
             "MBEDTLS_FS_IO and/or MBEDTLS_SHA256_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C and/or MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C and/or "
             "MBEDTLS_ERROR_C not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -815,7 +815,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_X509_CRT_WRITE_C && MBEDTLS_X509_CRT_PARSE_C &&
           MBEDTLS_FS_IO && MBEDTLS_ENTROPY_C && MBEDTLS_CTR_DRBG_C &&
diff --git a/programs/x509/crl_app.c b/programs/x509/crl_app.c
index 127320a13..cebc724e7 100644
--- a/programs/x509/crl_app.c
+++ b/programs/x509/crl_app.c
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_X509_CRL_PARSE_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C && MBEDTLS_X509_CRL_PARSE_C &&
           MBEDTLS_FS_IO */
diff --git a/programs/x509/req_app.c b/programs/x509/req_app.c
index 3bb4277fd..3182d30bc 100644
--- a/programs/x509/req_app.c
+++ b/programs/x509/req_app.c
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ int main( void )
 {
     mbedtls_printf("MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C and/or MBEDTLS_RSA_C and/or "
            "MBEDTLS_X509_CSR_PARSE_C and/or MBEDTLS_FS_IO not defined.\n");
-    return( 0 );
+    mbedtls_exit( 0 );
 }
 #else
 
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ exit:
     fflush( stdout ); getchar();
 #endif
 
-    return( exit_code );
+    mbedtls_exit( exit_code );
 }
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_BIGNUM_C && MBEDTLS_RSA_C && MBEDTLS_X509_CSR_PARSE_C &&
           MBEDTLS_FS_IO */