diff --git a/v2/kernel/bootstrap.jam b/v2/kernel/bootstrap.jam
index cc874e2a3..c9b7fbb36 100644
--- a/v2/kernel/bootstrap.jam
+++ b/v2/kernel/bootstrap.jam
@@ -76,10 +76,9 @@ module .ENVIRON
 # Make sure that \n escape is avaiable.
 if "\n" = "n"
 {
-    ECHO "error: escape sequences are not supported" ;
-    ECHO "error: your version of bjam is likely out of date" ;
-    ECHO "error: please get a fresh version from SVN." ;
-    EXIT ;
+    ECHO "warning: escape sequences are not supported" ;
+    ECHO "warning: your version of bjam is likely out of date" ;
+    ECHO "warning: please get a fresh version from SVN." ;
 }
 
 # Bootstrap the module system. Then bring the import rule into the global module.