diff --git a/lib/readline.js b/lib/readline.js
index 585128fe02697c..ffd7cf187411ff 100644
--- a/lib/readline.js
+++ b/lib/readline.js
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ const {
   ERR_INVALID_CURSOR_POS,
   ERR_INVALID_OPT_VALUE
 } = require('internal/errors').codes;
-const { debug, inherits } = require('util');
+const { inspect, inherits } = require('util');
 const { validateString } = require('internal/validators');
 const { emitExperimentalWarning } = require('internal/util');
 const { Buffer } = require('buffer');
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ Interface.prototype._tabComplete = function(lastKeypressWasTab) {
     self.resume();
 
     if (err) {
-      debug('tab completion error %j', err);
+      self._writeToOutput(`tab completion error ${inspect(err)}`);
       return;
     }