diff --git a/scripts/pylib/twister/twisterlib.py b/scripts/pylib/twister/twisterlib.py
index 22d9322f794..60ec2239e54 100755
--- a/scripts/pylib/twister/twisterlib.py
+++ b/scripts/pylib/twister/twisterlib.py
@@ -633,13 +633,14 @@ class BinaryHandler(Handler):
         self.instance.results = harness.tests
 
         if not self.terminated and self.returncode != 0:
-            # When a process is killed, the default handler returns 128 + SIGTERM
-            # so in that case the return code itself is not meaningful
-            self.set_state("failed", handler_time)
-            self.instance.reason = "Failed"
-        elif run_valgrind and self.returncode == 2:
-            self.set_state("failed", handler_time)
-            self.instance.reason = "Valgrind error"
+            if run_valgrind and self.returncode == 2:
+                self.set_state("failed", handler_time)
+                self.instance.reason = "Valgrind error"
+            else:
+                # When a process is killed, the default handler returns 128 + SIGTERM
+                # so in that case the return code itself is not meaningful
+                self.set_state("failed", handler_time)
+                self.instance.reason = "Failed"
         elif harness.state:
             self.set_state(harness.state, handler_time)
             if harness.state == "failed":