diff --git a/scripts/bpf_helpers_doc.py b/scripts/bpf_helpers_doc.py
index 08300bc..7548569 100755
--- a/scripts/bpf_helpers_doc.py
+++ b/scripts/bpf_helpers_doc.py
@@ -488,8 +488,8 @@
             return t
         if t in self.mapped_types:
             return self.mapped_types[t]
-        print("")
-        print("#error \"Unrecognized type '%s', please add it to known types!\"" % t)
+        print("Unrecognized type '%s', please add it to known types!" % t,
+              file=sys.stderr)
         sys.exit(1)
 
     seen_helpers = set()