diff --git a/src/spec/dsl.cr b/src/spec/dsl.cr
index 5a5969dbac5d..99078cc66b3c 100644
--- a/src/spec/dsl.cr
+++ b/src/spec/dsl.cr
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ module Spec
   def self.finish_run
     elapsed_time = Time.monotonic - @@start_time.not_nil!
     root_context.finish(elapsed_time, @@aborted)
-    exit 1 if !root_context.succeeded || @@aborted
+    exit 1 if !root_context.succeeded || @@aborted || (focus? && ENV["SPEC_FOCUS_NO_FAIL"]? != "1")
   end
 
   # :nodoc: