diff --git a/arch/sandbox/cpu/start.c b/arch/sandbox/cpu/start.c
index 7603bf9008..5287fd5ee8 100644
--- a/arch/sandbox/cpu/start.c
+++ b/arch/sandbox/cpu/start.c
@@ -122,4 +122,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	 * never return.
 	 */
 	board_init_f(0);
+
+	/* NOTREACHED - board_init_f() does not return */
+	return 0;
 }