gdb simulator exit status

["M R Swami Reddy" <swami@india.nsc.com>]

Hi,
I have C file as:
==
main () {
   return 1;
}
===

When I compile and run it, the status value is '1'
 > a.out
 > echo $status
 > 1

When I execute the same "a.out" on gdb simulator, the status shows as "0" (ie 
gdb's exit status) and gdb shows "Program exited with code 01".

Can you please suggest the way (if any) to get the gdb simulator's exit status 
with "echo $status" command"?

Thank in advance.

Thanks,
Swami