diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/hists_cumulate.c b/tools/perf/tests/hists_cumulate.c
index e360892..5e6a86e 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/hists_cumulate.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/hists_cumulate.c
@@ -706,6 +706,7 @@
 	err = parse_events(evlist, "cpu-clock", NULL);
 	if (err)
 		goto out;
+	err = TEST_FAIL;
 
 	machines__init(&machines);
 
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/hists_filter.c b/tools/perf/tests/hists_filter.c
index 2a784be..351a424 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/hists_filter.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/hists_filter.c
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@
 	err = parse_events(evlist, "task-clock", NULL);
 	if (err)
 		goto out;
+	err = TEST_FAIL;
 
 	/* default sort order (comm,dso,sym) will be used */
 	if (setup_sorting(NULL) < 0)
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/hists_link.c b/tools/perf/tests/hists_link.c
index c764d69..64b257d 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/hists_link.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/hists_link.c
@@ -293,6 +293,7 @@
 	if (err)
 		goto out;
 
+	err = TEST_FAIL;
 	/* default sort order (comm,dso,sym) will be used */
 	if (setup_sorting(NULL) < 0)
 		goto out;
diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/hists_output.c b/tools/perf/tests/hists_output.c
index ebe6cd4..b2312651 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/hists_output.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/hists_output.c
@@ -597,6 +597,7 @@
 	err = parse_events(evlist, "cpu-clock", NULL);
 	if (err)
 		goto out;
+	err = TEST_FAIL;
 
 	machines__init(&machines);