diff --git a/src/ejabberd.erl b/src/ejabberd.erl
index 0fd237497..a83ab0738 100644
--- a/src/ejabberd.erl
+++ b/src/ejabberd.erl
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
 
 start() ->
     case application:ensure_all_started(ejabberd) of
-      {error, Err} -> io:format("Failed to start ejabberd application: ~p", [Err]);
+      {error, Err} -> error_logger:error_msg("Failed to start ejabberd application: ~p", [Err]);
       Ok -> Ok
     end.