diff --git a/scripts/setlocalversion b/scripts/setlocalversion
index 63d91e22ed7c..966dd3924ea9 100755
--- a/scripts/setlocalversion
+++ b/scripts/setlocalversion
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ fi
 if test -e include/config/auto.conf; then
 	. include/config/auto.conf
 else
-	echo "Error: kernelrelease not valid - run 'make prepare' to update it"
+	echo "Error: kernelrelease not valid - run 'make prepare' to update it" >&2
 	exit 1
 fi