diff --git a/cobra/cmd/init.go b/cobra/cmd/init.go
index d65e6c8c5..7f0a21159 100644
--- a/cobra/cmd/init.go
+++ b/cobra/cmd/init.go
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ to quickly create a Cobra application.` + "`" + `,
 // This is called by main.main(). It only needs to happen once to the rootCmd.
 func Execute() {
 	if err := rootCmd.Execute(); err != nil {
-		fmt.Println(err)
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 }
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ func initConfig() {
 		// Find home directory.
 		home, err := homedir.Dir()
 		if err != nil {
-			fmt.Println(err)
+			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
 
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ func initConfig() {
 
 	// If a config file is found, read it in.
 	if err := viper.ReadInConfig(); err == nil {
-		fmt.Println("Using config file:", viper.ConfigFileUsed())
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "Using config file:", viper.ConfigFileUsed())
 	}
 }{{ end }}
 `
diff --git a/cobra/cmd/testdata/root.go.golden b/cobra/cmd/testdata/root.go.golden
index d74f4cd45..6b82106ad 100644
--- a/cobra/cmd/testdata/root.go.golden
+++ b/cobra/cmd/testdata/root.go.golden
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ to quickly create a Cobra application.`,
 // This is called by main.main(). It only needs to happen once to the rootCmd.
 func Execute() {
 	if err := rootCmd.Execute(); err != nil {
-		fmt.Println(err)
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 }
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ func initConfig() {
 		// Find home directory.
 		home, err := homedir.Dir()
 		if err != nil {
-			fmt.Println(err)
+			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
 
@@ -84,6 +84,6 @@ func initConfig() {
 
 	// If a config file is found, read it in.
 	if err := viper.ReadInConfig(); err == nil {
-		fmt.Println("Using config file:", viper.ConfigFileUsed())
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "Using config file:", viper.ConfigFileUsed())
 	}
 }