diff --git a/lib/readline.js b/lib/readline.js
index a69eeb73b635a9..64d8efb30f1138 100644
--- a/lib/readline.js
+++ b/lib/readline.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ const {
   ERR_INVALID_OPT_VALUE
 } = require('internal/errors').codes;
 const { validateString } = require('internal/validators');
-const { debug } = require('util');
+const { inspect } = require('util');
 const { emitExperimentalWarning } = require('internal/util');
 const { Buffer } = require('buffer');
 const EventEmitter = require('events');
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ Interface.prototype._tabComplete = function(lastKeypressWasTab) {
     self.resume();
 
     if (err) {
-      debug('tab completion error %j', err);
+      self._writeToOutput(`tab completion error ${inspect(err)}`);
       return;
     }