diff --git a/src/allmydata/scripts/runner.py b/src/allmydata/scripts/runner.py
index af8b89d79..705fa37bf 100644
--- a/src/allmydata/scripts/runner.py
+++ b/src/allmydata/scripts/runner.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer, task, threads
 from allmydata.scripts.common import get_default_nodedir
 from allmydata.scripts import debug, create_node, cli, \
     admin, tahoe_run, tahoe_invite
-from allmydata.util.encodingutil import quote_output, quote_local_unicode_path, get_io_encoding
+from allmydata.util.encodingutil import quote_local_unicode_path
 from allmydata.util.eliotutil import (
     opt_eliot_destination,
     opt_help_eliot_destinations,
@@ -121,11 +121,7 @@ def parse_or_exit_with_explanation(argv, stdout=sys.stdout):
         while hasattr(c, 'subOptions'):
             c = c.subOptions
         print(str(c), file=stdout)
-        try:
-            msg = e.args[0].decode(get_io_encoding())
-        except Exception:
-            msg = repr(e)
-        print("%s:  %s\n" % (sys.argv[0], quote_output(msg, quotemarks=False)), file=stdout)
+        print("%s:  %s\n" % (sys.argv[0], e), file=stdout)
         sys.exit(1)
     return config