diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.c b/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.c
index b4c8080e6f87a..f4f37ecfed587 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.c
@@ -887,7 +887,7 @@ int usbnet_open (struct net_device *net)
 
 	// insist peer be connected
 	if (info->check_connect && (retval = info->check_connect (dev)) < 0) {
-		netif_dbg(dev, ifup, dev->net, "can't open; %d\n", retval);
+		netif_err(dev, ifup, dev->net, "can't open; %d\n", retval);
 		goto done;
 	}