diff --git a/doas.c b/doas.c
index 8faa125..a608f74 100644
--- a/doas.c
+++ b/doas.c
@@ -76,7 +76,10 @@ usage(void)
 void
 errc(int eval, int code, const char *format)
 {
-   fprintf(stderr, "%s", format);
+   if (format)
+      fprintf(stderr, "%s", format);
+    else
+      fprintf(stderr, "doas: Permission error encountered. Your user may not have access to perform this action.\n");
    exit(code);
 }
 #endif