diff --git a/compiler/cli/src/org/jetbrains/jet/cli/common/CLICompiler.java b/compiler/cli/src/org/jetbrains/jet/cli/common/CLICompiler.java
index 8183942eae7..96e0f74b420 100644
--- a/compiler/cli/src/org/jetbrains/jet/cli/common/CLICompiler.java
+++ b/compiler/cli/src/org/jetbrains/jet/cli/common/CLICompiler.java
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ public abstract class CLICompiler<A extends CompilerArguments> {
             return true;
         }
         catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            errStream.println(e.getMessage());
             usage(errStream);
         }
         catch (Throwable t) {