diff --git a/cmd/geth/chaincmd.go b/cmd/geth/chaincmd.go
index 1c82ac7c09..a947f35f2f 100644
--- a/cmd/geth/chaincmd.go
+++ b/cmd/geth/chaincmd.go
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ func initGenesis(ctx *cli.Context) error {
 		utils.Fatalf("Failed to write genesis block: %v", err)
 	}
 	if compatErr != nil {
-		utils.Fatalf("Failed to write chain config: %v", err)
+		utils.Fatalf("Failed to write chain config: %v", compatErr)
 	}
 	log.Info("Successfully wrote genesis state", "database", "chaindata", "hash", hash)