diff --git a/zerver/lib/cache.py b/zerver/lib/cache.py
index 02f2a007a6..a4bd93a8b0 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/cache.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/cache.py
@@ -63,7 +63,8 @@ def get_or_create_key_prefix():
             time.sleep(0.5)
 
     if not prefix:
-        sys.exit("Could not read memcache key prefix file")
+        print("Could not read memcache key prefix file")
+        sys.exit(1)
 
     return prefix