diff --git a/python/damask/util.py b/python/damask/util.py
index 09a5c9cde..94d8cb95c 100644
--- a/python/damask/util.py
+++ b/python/damask/util.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ def croak(what, newline = True):
         Separate items of what by newline. Defaults to True.
 
     """
-    if not what:
+    if what:
         sys.stderr.write(srepr(what,glue = '\n') + ('\n' if newline else ''))
     sys.stderr.flush()