diff --git a/src/nano.c b/src/nano.c
index e121722a..9825d457 100644
--- a/src/nano.c
+++ b/src/nano.c
@@ -2481,6 +2481,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 
 		quoteerr = charalloc(size);
 		regerror(quoterc, &quotereg, quoteerr, size);
+
+		die(_("Bad quoting regex \"%s\": %s\n"), quotestr, quoteerr);
 	}
 #endif /* ENABLE_JUSTIFY */
 
diff --git a/src/text.c b/src/text.c
index 80e01910..a35d487a 100644
--- a/src/text.c
+++ b/src/text.c
@@ -2208,11 +2208,6 @@ void do_justify(bool full_justify)
 	size_t was_current_x = openfile->current_x;
 #endif
 
-	if (quoterc != 0) {
-		statusline(ALERT, _("Bad quoting regex %s: %s"), quotestr, quoteerr);
-		return;
-	}
-
 	/* When justifying the entire buffer, start at the top.  Otherwise, when
 	 * in a paragraph but not at its beginning, move back to its first line. */
 	if (full_justify)