diff --git a/Shorewall/compiler b/Shorewall/compiler
index 05dc61364..09ba8e81b 100755
--- a/Shorewall/compiler
+++ b/Shorewall/compiler
@@ -1191,7 +1191,7 @@ if [ -n "\$gateway" ]; then
     run_ip route replace \$gateway src \$(find_first_interface_address $interface) dev $interface table $number
     run_ip route add default via \$gateway dev $interface table $number
 else
-    error_message "WARNING: Unable to detect the gateway through interface $interface"
+    fatal_error "Unable to detect the gateway through interface $interface"
 fi
 
 __EOF__