diff --git a/kitty/boss.py b/kitty/boss.py
index 9b1a7894a..83f86cd56 100644
--- a/kitty/boss.py
+++ b/kitty/boss.py
@@ -846,7 +846,8 @@ class Boss:
     def set_active_tab(self, tab):
         tm = self.active_tab_manager
         if tm is not None:
-            tm.set_active_tab(tab)
+            return tm.set_active_tab(tab)
+        return False
 
     def next_tab(self):
         tm = self.active_tab_manager
diff --git a/kitty/tabs.py b/kitty/tabs.py
index d5adfe1d3..8ab17c8fd 100644
--- a/kitty/tabs.py
+++ b/kitty/tabs.py
@@ -478,8 +478,9 @@ class TabManager:  # {{{
         try:
             idx = self.tabs.index(tab)
         except Exception:
-            return
+            return False
         self.set_active_tab_idx(idx)
+        return True
 
     def next_tab(self, delta=1):
         if len(self.tabs) > 1: