diff --git a/sbin/savecore/savecore.c b/sbin/savecore/savecore.c
--- a/sbin/savecore/savecore.c
+++ b/sbin/savecore/savecore.c
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@
        needed = dumpsize / 1024 + 2;   /* 2 for info file */
        needed -= saved_dump_size(savedirfd, bounds);
        if (available < needed) {
-               logmsg(LOG_WARNING,
+               logmsg(LOG_ERR,
                    "no dump: not enough free space on device (need at least "
                    "%jdkB for dump; %jdkB available; %jdkB reserved)",
                    (intmax_t)needed,