diff --git a/docs/changes/newsfragments/385.bugfix b/docs/changes/newsfragments/385.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b30a4d6f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/changes/newsfragments/385.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Use correct return code for ANTs commands while checking presence of external commands by `Synchon Mandal`_
diff --git a/junifer/pipeline/utils.py b/junifer/pipeline/utils.py
index f50188156..f8d66f90a 100644
--- a/junifer/pipeline/utils.py
+++ b/junifer/pipeline/utils.py
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ def _check_ants(commands: Optional[list[str]] = None) -> bool:
                 shell=True,  # is unsafe but kept for resolution via PATH
                 check=False,
             )
-            command_found = command_process.returncode == 0
+            command_found = command_process.returncode == 1
             commands_found_results[command] = (
                 "found" if command_found else "not found"
             )