diff --git a/tests/fenced-local-force-unmount.sh b/tests/fenced-local-force-unmount.sh
index f725e78b..d20bce35 100755
--- a/tests/fenced-local-force-unmount.sh
+++ b/tests/fenced-local-force-unmount.sh
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 echo "$0 running rid '$SCOUTFS_FENCED_REQ_RID' ip '$SCOUTFS_FENCED_REQ_IP' args '$@'"
 
 echo_fail() {
-	echo "$@" >> /dev/stderr
+	echo "$@" >&2
 	exit 1
 }
 
diff --git a/utils/fenced/scoutfs-fenced b/utils/fenced/scoutfs-fenced
index 5070de4f..e24615cc 100755
--- a/utils/fenced/scoutfs-fenced
+++ b/utils/fenced/scoutfs-fenced
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ message_output()
 
 error_message()
 {
-	message_output "$@" >> /dev/stderr
+	message_output "$@" >&2
 }
 
 error_exit()