diff --git a/meta/classes/systemd.bbclass b/meta/classes/systemd.bbclass
index 00865edc7c..564cd727df 100644
--- a/meta/classes/systemd.bbclass
+++ b/meta/classes/systemd.bbclass
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ python systemd_populate_packages() {
     def systemd_check_package(pkg_systemd):
         packages = d.getVar('PACKAGES', True)
         if not pkg_systemd in packages.split():
-            bb.error('%s does not appear in package list, please add it', " " + pkg_systemd)
+            bb.error('%s does not appear in package list, please add it' % pkg_systemd)
 
 
     # Add a runtime dependency on systemd to pkg