diff --git a/lib/sys.js b/lib/sys.js
index c37e2a7d33a57c..d53a3dd95ea072 100644
--- a/lib/sys.js
+++ b/lib/sys.js
@@ -25,7 +25,10 @@ var sysWarning;
 if (!sysWarning) {
   sysWarning = 'The "sys" module is now called "util". ' +
                'It should have a similar interface.';
-  util.error(sysWarning);
+  if (process.env.NODE_DEBUG && process.env.NODE_DEBUG.indexOf('sys') != -1)
+    console.trace(sysWarning);
+  else
+    console.error(sysWarning);
 }
 
 exports.print = util.print;