diff --git a/CHANGES.txt b/CHANGES.txt
index 9ce8d49e68..a3de742433 100644
--- a/CHANGES.txt
+++ b/CHANGES.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 2.1.17
+ * Use portable stderr for java error in startup (CASSANDRA-13211)
  * Fix Thread Leak in OutboundTcpConnection (CASSANDRA-13204)
  * Coalescing strategy can enter infinite loop (CASSANDRA-13159)
  * Upgrade netty version to fix memory leak with client encryption (CASSANDRA-13114)
diff --git a/bin/cassandra b/bin/cassandra
index 4dca73e40c..957cc7de56 100755
--- a/bin/cassandra
+++ b/bin/cassandra
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ else
 fi
 
 if [ -z $JAVA ] ; then
-    echo Unable to find java executable. Check JAVA_HOME and PATH environment variables. > /dev/stderr
+    echo Unable to find java executable. Check JAVA_HOME and PATH environment variables. >&2
     exit 1;
 fi