diff --git a/mininet/util.py b/mininet/util.py
index 8140d70..6cccddc 100644
--- a/mininet/util.py
+++ b/mininet/util.py
@@ -588,7 +588,7 @@ def ensureRoot():
     Probably we should only sudo when needed as per Big Switch's patch.
     """
     if os.getuid() != 0:
-        print( "*** Mininet must run as root." )
+        error( '*** Mininet must run as root.\n' )
         exit( 1 )
     return