--- readline/misc.c
+++ readline/misc.c	2005-12-09 18:12:24.000000000 +0100
@@ -210,8 +210,10 @@
 
       r = _rl_arg_dispatch (_rl_argcxt, c);
       if (r <= 0 || (RL_ISSTATE (RL_STATE_NUMERICARG) == 0))
-        break;
+        return r;
     }
+ 
+  return 1;
 }
 
 /* Create a default argument. */