diff --git a/lintcmd/cmd.go b/lintcmd/cmd.go
index eace8bc0..069b276e 100644
--- a/lintcmd/cmd.go
+++ b/lintcmd/cmd.go
@@ -271,9 +271,9 @@ func decodeGob(br io.ByteReader) ([]run, error) {
 	return runs, nil
 }
 
-// Run runs all registered analyzers and reports their findings.
-// It always calls os.Exit and does not return.
-func (cmd *Command) Run() {
+// Execute runs all registered analyzers and reports their findings.
+// The status code returned can be used for os.Exit(cmd.Execute()).
+func (cmd *Command) Execute() int {
 	// Set up profiling and tracing
 	if path := cmd.flags.debugCpuprofile; path != "" {
 		f, err := os.Create(path)
@@ -332,8 +332,13 @@ func (cmd *Command) Run() {
 		trace.Stop()
 	}
 
-	// Exit with appropriate status
-	os.Exit(exit)
+	return exit
+}
+
+// Run runs all registered analyzers and reports their findings.
+// It always calls os.Exit and does not return.
+func (cmd *Command) Run() {
+	os.Exit(cmd.Execute())
 }
 
 func (cmd *Command) analyzersAsSlice() []*lint.Analyzer {