diff --git a/makefile b/makefile
index e71a18f2a691578374c15ca076c20bcac89b6f3c..679bc3a64865899c09f3df185ee84f9e6e56e598 100644
--- a/makefile
+++ b/makefile
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ stop-server-screen:
 
 run-debug-screen:
 	@if test "$$(screen -ls | grep -c 'caosdb-screen')" -eq "1"; then \
-		echo "server is probably running. try 'screen -ls'; \
+		echo "server is probably running. try 'screen -ls'"; \
 		exit 1 ; \
 	fi
 	# start and wait for server