diff --git a/library/std/src/os/unix/process.rs b/library/std/src/os/unix/process.rs
index 9aadd9491169..ef5adaf22908 100644
--- a/library/std/src/os/unix/process.rs
+++ b/library/std/src/os/unix/process.rs
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ unsafe fn before_exec<F>(&mut self, f: F) -> &mut process::Command
     /// required to gracefully handle errors it is recommended to use the
     /// cross-platform `spawn` instead.
     #[stable(feature = "process_exec2", since = "1.9.0")]
+    #[must_use]
     fn exec(&mut self) -> io::Error;
 
     /// Set executable argument