diff --git a/changelog/unreleased/pull-4884 b/changelog/unreleased/pull-4884
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ff2bff967
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog/unreleased/pull-4884
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+Change: return exit code 10 or 11 if repository does not exist or is locked
+
+If a repository does not exist or cannot be locked, then restic always returned
+exit code 1. This made it difficult to distinguish these cases from other
+errors.
+
+Now, restic returns exit code 10 if the repository does not exist and exit code
+11 if the repository could be not locked due to a conflicting lock.
+
+https://github.com/restic/restic/issues/956
+https://github.com/restic/restic/pull/4884
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_backup.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_backup.go
index 434469683..9957b5784 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_backup.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_backup.go
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ EXIT STATUS
 Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
 Exit status is 1 if there was a fatal error (no snapshot created).
 Exit status is 3 if some source data could not be read (incomplete snapshot created).
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	PreRun: func(_ *cobra.Command, _ []string) {
 		if backupOptions.Host == "" {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_cache.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_cache.go
index 651c65fcf..e71d38365 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_cache.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_cache.go
@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ The "cache" command allows listing and cleaning local cache directories.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(_ *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_cat.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_cat.go
index 23205771a..693c26790 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_cat.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_cat.go
@@ -21,7 +21,10 @@ The "cat" command is used to print internal objects to stdout.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_check.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_check.go
index f416c9269..9cccc0609 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_check.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_check.go
@@ -35,7 +35,10 @@ repository and not use a local cache.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_copy.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_copy.go
index d12501dd9..d7761174a 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_copy.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_copy.go
@@ -30,6 +30,14 @@ This means that copied files, which existed in both the source and destination
 repository, /may occupy up to twice their space/ in the destination repository.
 This can be mitigated by the "--copy-chunker-params" option when initializing a
 new destination repository using the "init" command.
+
+EXIT STATUS
+===========
+
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		return runCopy(cmd.Context(), copyOptions, globalOptions, args)
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_debug.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_debug.go
index 1a42995fd..74c21df24 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_debug.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_debug.go
@@ -43,7 +43,10 @@ is used for debugging purposes only.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_diff.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_diff.go
index fd54897f1..6488a7c35 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_diff.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_diff.go
@@ -39,7 +39,10 @@ snapshot.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_dump.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_dump.go
index 2a98a8ae8..7e1efa3ae 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_dump.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_dump.go
@@ -34,7 +34,10 @@ snapshot.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_features.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_features.go
index 8125d3e26..497013696 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_features.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_features.go
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ A _deprecated_ feature is always disabled and cannot be enabled. The flag will b
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
 `,
 	Hidden:            true,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_find.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_find.go
index 59e34c468..4f9549ca4 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_find.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_find.go
@@ -33,7 +33,10 @@ restic find --pack 025c1d06
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_forget.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_forget.go
index 4fd931ff0..87738b518 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_forget.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_forget.go
@@ -35,7 +35,10 @@ security considerations.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_generate.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_generate.go
index ba710e708..b5c7cecb5 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_generate.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_generate.go
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ and the auto-completion files for bash, fish and zsh).
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(_ *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_init.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_init.go
index e6ea69441..3c0319e55 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_init.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_init.go
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ The "init" command initializes a new repository.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_add.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_add.go
index d38991f09..c9f0ef233 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_add.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_add.go
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ The "add" sub-command creates a new key and validates the key. Returns the new k
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command is successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 	`,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 }
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_list.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_list.go
index fcca6055a..ae751a487 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_list.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_list.go
@@ -23,7 +23,10 @@ used to access the repository.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command is successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 	`,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_passwd.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_passwd.go
index 1a1200109..723acaaab 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_passwd.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_passwd.go
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ Returns the new key ID.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command is successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 	`,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 }
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_remove.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_remove.go
index 93babb4f3..c4c24fdb7 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_key_remove.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_key_remove.go
@@ -20,7 +20,10 @@ removing the current key being used to access the repository.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command is successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 	`,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_list.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_list.go
index 6f4430420..060bca871 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_list.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_list.go
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ The "list" command allows listing objects in the repository based on type.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_ls.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_ls.go
index 6e48b010f..d9a3b0fb8 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_ls.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_ls.go
@@ -39,7 +39,10 @@ a path separator); paths use the forward slash '/' as separator.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_migrate.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_migrate.go
index 0f9bdde1a..e89980050 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_migrate.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_migrate.go
@@ -22,7 +22,10 @@ names are specified, these migrations are applied.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_mount.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_mount.go
index 5a10447f3..3e0b159be 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_mount.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_mount.go
@@ -64,7 +64,10 @@ The default path templates are:
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_options.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_options.go
index 85e062220..4cd574b68 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_options.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_options.go
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ The "options" command prints a list of extended options.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
 `,
 	Hidden:            true,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_prune.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_prune.go
index f0bfa2b94..7e706ccf8 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_prune.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_prune.go
@@ -28,7 +28,10 @@ referenced and therefore not needed any more.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, _ []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_recover.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_recover.go
index 726f1bf65..5e4744bb6 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_recover.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_recover.go
@@ -22,7 +22,10 @@ It can be used if, for example, a snapshot has been removed by accident with "fo
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, _ []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_index.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_index.go
index 50ba16e33..e6b6e9fa5 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_index.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_index.go
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ repository.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, _ []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_packs.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_packs.go
index ab8c7f475..b0afefb2d 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_packs.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_packs.go
@@ -23,7 +23,10 @@ the index to remove the damaged pack files and removes the pack files from the r
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_snapshots.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_snapshots.go
index be5ef4ad9..fc221ebea 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_snapshots.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_repair_snapshots.go
@@ -37,7 +37,10 @@ snapshot!
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go
index e21d0bd94..89942f4cf 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go
@@ -32,7 +32,10 @@ syntax, where "subfolder" is a path within the snapshot.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_rewrite.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_rewrite.go
index 83ace7a11..73bc32f6f 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_rewrite.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_rewrite.go
@@ -38,7 +38,10 @@ use the "prune" command.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_self_update.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_self_update.go
index 4b86c416f..0fce41241 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_self_update.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_self_update.go
@@ -24,7 +24,10 @@ files.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_snapshots.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_snapshots.go
index ea15af019..9112e1b95 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_snapshots.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_snapshots.go
@@ -23,7 +23,10 @@ The "snapshots" command lists all snapshots stored in the repository.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_stats.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_stats.go
index 0f8e45f36..8a78d57f7 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_stats.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_stats.go
@@ -49,7 +49,10 @@ Refer to the online manual for more details about each mode.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_tag.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_tag.go
index 033dc5ebe..ea73955f0 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_tag.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_tag.go
@@ -25,7 +25,10 @@ When no snapshotID is given, all snapshots matching the host, tag and path filte
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
+Exit status is 10 if the repository does not exist.
+Exit status is 11 if the repository is already locked.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_unlock.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_unlock.go
index 6893f3365..96eef7e02 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_unlock.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_unlock.go
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ The "unlock" command removes stale locks that have been created by other restic
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, _ []string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_version.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_version.go
index e3f9b3010..cd32e2470 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_version.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_version.go
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ and the version of this software.
 EXIT STATUS
 ===========
 
-Exit status is 0 if the command was successful, and non-zero if there was any error.
+Exit status is 0 if the command was successful.
+Exit status is 1 if there was any error.
 `,
 	DisableAutoGenTag: true,
 	Run: func(_ *cobra.Command, _ []string) {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/global.go b/cmd/restic/global.go
index cd6a683bf..be485dc3b 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/global.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/global.go
@@ -43,6 +43,10 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/term"
 )
 
+// ErrNoRepository is used to report if opening a repsitory failed due
+// to a missing backend storage location or config file
+var ErrNoRepository = errors.New("repository does not exist")
+
 var version = "0.16.5-dev (compiled manually)"
 
 // TimeFormat is the format used for all timestamps printed by restic.
@@ -607,6 +611,9 @@ func innerOpen(ctx context.Context, s string, gopts GlobalOptions, opts options.
 		be, err = factory.Open(ctx, cfg, rt, lim)
 	}
 
+	if errors.Is(err, backend.ErrNoRepository) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Fatal: %w at %v: %v", ErrNoRepository, location.StripPassword(gopts.backends, s), err)
+	}
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Fatalf("unable to open repository at %v: %v", location.StripPassword(gopts.backends, s), err)
 	}
@@ -635,6 +642,9 @@ func open(ctx context.Context, s string, gopts GlobalOptions, opts options.Optio
 
 	// check if config is there
 	fi, err := be.Stat(ctx, backend.Handle{Type: restic.ConfigFile})
+	if be.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Fatal: %w: unable to open config file: %v\nIs there a repository at the following location?\n%v", ErrNoRepository, err, location.StripPassword(gopts.backends, s))
+	}
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Fatalf("unable to open config file: %v\nIs there a repository at the following location?\n%v", err, location.StripPassword(gopts.backends, s))
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/restic/main.go b/cmd/restic/main.go
index e847b8156..5818221a5 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/main.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/main.go
@@ -156,6 +156,10 @@ func main() {
 		exitCode = 0
 	case err == ErrInvalidSourceData:
 		exitCode = 3
+	case errors.Is(err, ErrNoRepository):
+		exitCode = 10
+	case restic.IsAlreadyLocked(err):
+		exitCode = 11
 	case errors.Is(err, context.Canceled):
 		exitCode = 130
 	default:
diff --git a/doc/075_scripting.rst b/doc/075_scripting.rst
index e11f280db..87ae4fcf4 100644
--- a/doc/075_scripting.rst
+++ b/doc/075_scripting.rst
@@ -21,23 +21,51 @@ Check if a repository is already initialized
 ********************************************
 
 You may find a need to check if a repository is already initialized,
-perhaps to prevent your script from initializing a repository multiple
-times. The command ``cat config`` may be used for this purpose:
+perhaps to prevent your script from trying to initialize a repository multiple
+times (the ``init`` command contains a check to prevent overwriting existing
+repositories). The command ``cat config`` may be used for this purpose:
 
 .. code-block:: console
 
     $ restic -r /srv/restic-repo cat config
-    Fatal: unable to open config file: stat /srv/restic-repo/config: no such file or directory
+    Fatal: repository does not exist: unable to open config file: stat /srv/restic-repo/config: no such file or directory
     Is there a repository at the following location?
     /srv/restic-repo
 
-If a repository does not exist, restic will return a non-zero exit code
-and print an error message. Note that restic will also return a non-zero
-exit code if a different error is encountered (e.g.: incorrect password
-to ``cat config``) and it may print a different error message. If there
-are no errors, restic will return a zero exit code and print the repository
+If a repository does not exist, restic (since 0.17.0) will return exit code ``10``
+and print a corresponding error message. Older versions return exit code ``1``.
+Note that restic will also return exit code ``1`` if a different error is encountered
+(e.g.: incorrect password to ``cat config``) and it may print a different error message.
+If there are no errors, restic will return a zero exit code and print the repository
 metadata.
 
+Exit codes
+**********
+
+Restic commands return an exit code that signals whether the command was successful.
+The following table provides a general description, see the help of each command for
+a more specific description.
+
+.. warning::
+    New exit codes will be added over time. If an unknown exit code is returned, then it
+    MUST be treated as a command failure.
+
++-----+----------------------------------------------------+
+| 0   | Command was successful                             |
++-----+----------------------------------------------------+
+| 1   | Command failed, see command help for more details  |
++-----+----------------------------------------------------+
+| 2   | Go runtime error                                   |
++-----+----------------------------------------------------+
+| 3   | ``backup`` command could not read some source data |
++-----+----------------------------------------------------+
+| 10  | Repository does not exist (since restic 0.17.0)    |
++-----+----------------------------------------------------+
+| 11  | Failed to lock repository (since restic 0.17.0)    |
++-----+----------------------------------------------------+
+| 130 | Restic was interrupted using SIGINT or SIGSTOP     |
++-----+----------------------------------------------------+
+
 JSON output
 ***********
 
diff --git a/internal/backend/b2/b2.go b/internal/backend/b2/b2.go
index 1a5e72aaa..9717cdd0e 100644
--- a/internal/backend/b2/b2.go
+++ b/internal/backend/b2/b2.go
@@ -100,7 +100,9 @@ func Open(ctx context.Context, cfg Config, rt http.RoundTripper) (backend.Backen
 	}
 
 	bucket, err := client.Bucket(ctx, cfg.Bucket)
-	if err != nil {
+	if b2.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return nil, backend.ErrNoRepository
+	} else if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "Bucket")
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/backend/backend.go b/internal/backend/backend.go
index 3b0599c30..f606e1123 100644
--- a/internal/backend/backend.go
+++ b/internal/backend/backend.go
@@ -2,10 +2,13 @@ package backend
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"hash"
 	"io"
 )
 
+var ErrNoRepository = fmt.Errorf("repository does not exist")
+
 // Backend is used to store and access data.
 //
 // Backend operations that return an error will be retried when a Backend is