diff --git a/conf/bi.config b/conf/bi.config
index 0ad15d4..f9dfb27 100644
--- a/conf/bi.config
+++ b/conf/bi.config
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@ includeConfig params.globalConfig
 def determine_global_config() {
     if( System.getenv('NXF_GLOBAL_CONFIG') == null)
     {
-        throw new Exception("Environment variable NXF_GLOBAL_CONFIG is missing. Set it to point to global.config file")
+        def errorMessage = "ERROR: Environment variable NXF_GLOBAL_CONFIG is missing. Set it to point to global.config file."
+        System.err.println(errorMessage)
+        throw new Exception(errorMessage)
     }
     return System.getenv('NXF_GLOBAL_CONFIG')   
 }