diff --git a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/scripts/chibios_hwdef.py b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/scripts/chibios_hwdef.py
index ad80b3e01d..e9010f5522 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/scripts/chibios_hwdef.py
+++ b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/scripts/chibios_hwdef.py
@@ -1865,8 +1865,7 @@ def write_I2C_config(f):
 ''')
         return
     if 'I2C_ORDER' not in config:
-        print("Missing I2C_ORDER config")
-        return
+        error("Missing I2C_ORDER config")
     i2c_list = config['I2C_ORDER']
     f.write('// I2C configuration\n')
     if len(i2c_list) == 0: