diff --git a/PrivData.hs b/PrivData.hs
index 7d65270..e923366 100644
--- a/PrivData.hs
+++ b/PrivData.hs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import Data.Maybe
 import Control.Monad
 
 import Types
+import Property
 import Utility.Monad
 import Utility.PartialPrelude
 import Utility.Exception
@@ -29,8 +30,7 @@ withPrivData :: PrivDataField -> (String -> IO Result) -> IO Result
 withPrivData field a = maybe missing a =<< getPrivData field
   where
 	missing = do
-		hPutStrLn stderr $ "** Missing privdata " ++ show field
-		hFlush stderr
+		warningMessage $ "Missing privdata " ++ show field
 		return FailedChange
 
 getPrivData :: PrivDataField -> IO (Maybe String)
diff --git a/Property.hs b/Property.hs
index e83c75d..9361de0 100644
--- a/Property.hs
+++ b/Property.hs
@@ -116,3 +116,10 @@ ensureProperties' ps = ensure ps NoChange
 				putStrLn "done"
 		setSGR []
 		ensure ls (combineResult r rs)
+
+warningMessage :: String -> IO ()
+warningMessage s = do
+	setSGR [SetColor Foreground Vivid Red]
+	putStrLn $ "** warning: " ++ s
+	setSGR []
+	hFlush stdout