diff --git a/tc/m_bpf.c b/tc/m_bpf.c
index e247da8d..e8d704b5 100644
--- a/tc/m_bpf.c
+++ b/tc/m_bpf.c
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ static int bpf_print_opt(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_ACT_BPF_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (!tb[TCA_ACT_BPF_PARMS]) {
-		fprintf(f, "[NULL bpf parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing bpf parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 
diff --git a/tc/m_connmark.c b/tc/m_connmark.c
index af5ebfc4..eac23489 100644
--- a/tc/m_connmark.c
+++ b/tc/m_connmark.c
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ static int print_connmark(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_CONNMARK_MAX, arg);
 	if (tb[TCA_CONNMARK_PARMS] == NULL) {
-		print_string(PRINT_FP, NULL, "%s", "[NULL connmark parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing connmark parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 
diff --git a/tc/m_csum.c b/tc/m_csum.c
index 84396d6a..3e3dc251 100644
--- a/tc/m_csum.c
+++ b/tc/m_csum.c
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ print_csum(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_CSUM_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (tb[TCA_CSUM_PARMS] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "[NULL csum parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing csum parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 	sel = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_CSUM_PARMS]);
diff --git a/tc/m_gact.c b/tc/m_gact.c
index 32617d4c..dca2a2f9 100644
--- a/tc/m_gact.c
+++ b/tc/m_gact.c
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ print_gact(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_GACT_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (tb[TCA_GACT_PARMS] == NULL) {
-		print_string(PRINT_FP, NULL, "%s", "[NULL gact parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing gact parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 	p = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_GACT_PARMS]);
diff --git a/tc/m_ife.c b/tc/m_ife.c
index 67c1df75..7c612c02 100644
--- a/tc/m_ife.c
+++ b/tc/m_ife.c
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ skip_encode:
 
 static int print_ife(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 {
-	struct tc_ife *p = NULL;
+	struct tc_ife *p;
 	struct rtattr *tb[TCA_IFE_MAX + 1];
 	__u16 ife_type = 0;
 	__u32 mmark = 0;
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ static int print_ife(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_IFE_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (tb[TCA_IFE_PARMS] == NULL) {
-		print_string(PRINT_FP, NULL, "%s", "[NULL ife parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing ife parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 	p = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IFE_PARMS]);
diff --git a/tc/m_ipt.c b/tc/m_ipt.c
index 1d73cb98..cc95eab7 100644
--- a/tc/m_ipt.c
+++ b/tc/m_ipt.c
@@ -429,6 +429,8 @@ print_ipt(struct action_util *au, FILE * f, struct rtattr *arg)
 {
 	struct rtattr *tb[TCA_IPT_MAX + 1];
 	struct ipt_entry_target *t = NULL;
+	struct xtables_target *m;
+	__u32 hook;
 
 	if (arg == NULL)
 		return -1;
@@ -440,70 +442,68 @@ print_ipt(struct action_util *au, FILE * f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_IPT_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (tb[TCA_IPT_TABLE] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "[NULL ipt table name ] assuming mangle ");
+		fprintf(stderr,  "Missing ipt table name, assuming mangle\n");
 	} else {
 		fprintf(f, "tablename: %s ",
 			rta_getattr_str(tb[TCA_IPT_TABLE]));
 	}
 
 	if (tb[TCA_IPT_HOOK] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "[NULL ipt hook name ]\n ");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing ipt hook name\n ");
 		return -1;
-	} else {
-		__u32 hook;
-
-		hook = rta_getattr_u32(tb[TCA_IPT_HOOK]);
-		fprintf(f, " hook: %s\n", ipthooks[hook]);
 	}
 
+	hook = rta_getattr_u32(tb[TCA_IPT_HOOK]);
+	fprintf(f, " hook: %s\n", ipthooks[hook]);
+
 	if (tb[TCA_IPT_TARG] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "\t[NULL ipt target parameters ]\n");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing ipt target parameters\n");
 		return -1;
-	} else {
-		struct xtables_target *m = NULL;
+	}
 
-		t = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_TARG]);
-		m = get_target_name(t->u.user.name);
-		if (m != NULL) {
-			if (build_st(m, t) < 0) {
-				fprintf(stderr, " %s error\n", m->name);
-				return -1;
-			}
 
-			opts =
-			    merge_options(opts, m->extra_opts,
-					  &m->option_offset);
-		} else {
-			fprintf(stderr, " failed to find target %s\n\n",
-				t->u.user.name);
+	t = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_TARG]);
+	m = get_target_name(t->u.user.name);
+	if (m != NULL) {
+		if (build_st(m, t) < 0) {
+			fprintf(stderr, " %s error\n", m->name);
 			return -1;
 		}
-		fprintf(f, "\ttarget ");
-		m->print(NULL, m->t, 0);
-		if (tb[TCA_IPT_INDEX] == NULL) {
-			fprintf(f, " [NULL ipt target index ]\n");
-		} else {
-			__u32 index;
-
-			index = rta_getattr_u32(tb[TCA_IPT_INDEX]);
-			fprintf(f, "\n\tindex %u", index);
-		}
-
-		if (tb[TCA_IPT_CNT]) {
-			struct tc_cnt *c  = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_CNT]);
-
-			fprintf(f, " ref %d bind %d", c->refcnt, c->bindcnt);
-		}
-		if (show_stats) {
-			if (tb[TCA_IPT_TM]) {
-				struct tcf_t *tm = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_TM]);
-
-				print_tm(f, tm);
-			}
-		}
-		fprintf(f, "\n");
 
+		opts =
+			merge_options(opts, m->extra_opts,
+				      &m->option_offset);
+	} else {
+		fprintf(stderr, " failed to find target %s\n\n",
+			t->u.user.name);
+		return -1;
 	}
+
+	fprintf(f, "\ttarget ");
+	m->print(NULL, m->t, 0);
+	if (tb[TCA_IPT_INDEX] == NULL) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing ipt target index\n");
+	} else {
+		__u32 index;
+
+		index = rta_getattr_u32(tb[TCA_IPT_INDEX]);
+		fprintf(f, "\n\tindex %u", index);
+	}
+
+	if (tb[TCA_IPT_CNT]) {
+		struct tc_cnt *c  = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_CNT]);
+
+		fprintf(f, " ref %d bind %d", c->refcnt, c->bindcnt);
+	}
+	if (show_stats) {
+		if (tb[TCA_IPT_TM]) {
+			struct tcf_t *tm = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_TM]);
+
+			print_tm(f, tm);
+		}
+	}
+	fprintf(f, "\n");
+
 	free_opts(opts);
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/tc/m_mirred.c b/tc/m_mirred.c
index 23ba638a..13209523 100644
--- a/tc/m_mirred.c
+++ b/tc/m_mirred.c
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ print_mirred(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_MIRRED_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (tb[TCA_MIRRED_PARMS] == NULL) {
-		print_string(PRINT_FP, NULL, "%s", "[NULL mirred parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing mirred parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 	p = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_MIRRED_PARMS]);
diff --git a/tc/m_nat.c b/tc/m_nat.c
index ee0b7520..c4b02a83 100644
--- a/tc/m_nat.c
+++ b/tc/m_nat.c
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ print_nat(struct action_util *au, FILE * f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_NAT_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (tb[TCA_NAT_PARMS] == NULL) {
-		print_string(PRINT_FP, NULL, "%s", "[NULL nat parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing nat parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 	sel = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_NAT_PARMS]);
diff --git a/tc/m_pedit.c b/tc/m_pedit.c
index 8eb15f4b..1cd2d162 100644
--- a/tc/m_pedit.c
+++ b/tc/m_pedit.c
@@ -742,7 +742,7 @@ static int print_pedit(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_PEDIT_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (!tb[TCA_PEDIT_PARMS] && !tb[TCA_PEDIT_PARMS_EX]) {
-		fprintf(f, "[NULL pedit parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing pedit parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 
diff --git a/tc/m_sample.c b/tc/m_sample.c
index 3c840d3f..c068e632 100644
--- a/tc/m_sample.c
+++ b/tc/m_sample.c
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ static int print_sample(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 
 	if (!tb[TCA_SAMPLE_PARMS] || !tb[TCA_SAMPLE_RATE] ||
 	    !tb[TCA_SAMPLE_PSAMPLE_GROUP]) {
-		print_string(PRINT_FP, NULL, "%s", "[NULL sample parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing sample parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 	p = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_SAMPLE_PARMS]);
diff --git a/tc/m_simple.c b/tc/m_simple.c
index 34d1bab4..49e25047 100644
--- a/tc/m_simple.c
+++ b/tc/m_simple.c
@@ -171,13 +171,13 @@ static int print_simple(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_DEF_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (tb[TCA_DEF_PARMS] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "[NULL simple parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing simple parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 	sel = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_DEF_PARMS]);
 
 	if (tb[TCA_DEF_DATA] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "[missing simple string]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing simple string\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 
diff --git a/tc/m_skbedit.c b/tc/m_skbedit.c
index 70e3a2e4..761cad58 100644
--- a/tc/m_skbedit.c
+++ b/tc/m_skbedit.c
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ static int print_skbedit(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	SPRINT_BUF(b1);
 	__u32 priority;
 	__u16 ptype;
-	struct tc_skbedit *p = NULL;
+	struct tc_skbedit *p;
 
 	if (arg == NULL)
 		return -1;
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ static int print_skbedit(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_SKBEDIT_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (tb[TCA_SKBEDIT_PARMS] == NULL) {
-		print_string(PRINT_FP, NULL, "%s", "[NULL skbedit parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing skbedit parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 	p = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_SKBEDIT_PARMS]);
diff --git a/tc/m_skbmod.c b/tc/m_skbmod.c
index 2dd1bb7e..d38a5c19 100644
--- a/tc/m_skbmod.c
+++ b/tc/m_skbmod.c
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ static int parse_skbmod(struct action_util *a, int *argc_p, char ***argv_p,
 
 static int print_skbmod(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 {
-	struct tc_skbmod *p = NULL;
+	struct tc_skbmod *p;
 	struct rtattr *tb[TCA_SKBMOD_MAX + 1];
 	__u16 skbmod_etype = 0;
 	int has_optional = 0;
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ static int print_skbmod(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_SKBMOD_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (tb[TCA_SKBMOD_PARMS] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "[NULL skbmod parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing skbmod parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 
diff --git a/tc/m_tunnel_key.c b/tc/m_tunnel_key.c
index fd699017..4e65e444 100644
--- a/tc/m_tunnel_key.c
+++ b/tc/m_tunnel_key.c
@@ -493,8 +493,7 @@ static int print_tunnel_key(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_TUNNEL_KEY_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (!tb[TCA_TUNNEL_KEY_PARMS]) {
-		print_string(PRINT_FP, NULL, "%s",
-			     "[NULL tunnel_key parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing tunnel_key parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 	parm = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_TUNNEL_KEY_PARMS]);
diff --git a/tc/m_vlan.c b/tc/m_vlan.c
index 412f6aa1..9c8071e9 100644
--- a/tc/m_vlan.c
+++ b/tc/m_vlan.c
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ static int print_vlan(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_VLAN_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (!tb[TCA_VLAN_PARMS]) {
-		print_string(PRINT_FP, NULL, "%s", "[NULL vlan parameters]");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing vlanparameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 	parm = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_VLAN_PARMS]);
diff --git a/tc/m_xt.c b/tc/m_xt.c
index 29574bd4..bf0db2be 100644
--- a/tc/m_xt.c
+++ b/tc/m_xt.c
@@ -317,6 +317,7 @@ print_ipt(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	struct xtables_target *m;
 	struct rtattr *tb[TCA_IPT_MAX + 1];
 	struct xt_entry_target *t = NULL;
+	__u32 hook;
 
 	if (arg == NULL)
 		return -1;
@@ -330,27 +331,25 @@ print_ipt(struct action_util *au, FILE *f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_IPT_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (tb[TCA_IPT_TABLE] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "[NULL ipt table name ] assuming mangle ");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing ipt table name, assuming mangle\n");
 	} else {
 		fprintf(f, "tablename: %s ",
 			rta_getattr_str(tb[TCA_IPT_TABLE]));
 	}
 
 	if (tb[TCA_IPT_HOOK] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "[NULL ipt hook name ]\n ");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing ipt hook name\n ");
 		return -1;
-	} else {
-		__u32 hook;
-
-		hook = rta_getattr_u32(tb[TCA_IPT_HOOK]);
-		fprintf(f, " hook: %s\n", ipthooks[hook]);
 	}
 
 	if (tb[TCA_IPT_TARG] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "\t[NULL ipt target parameters ]\n");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing ipt target parameters\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 
+	hook = rta_getattr_u32(tb[TCA_IPT_HOOK]);
+	fprintf(f, " hook: %s\n", ipthooks[hook]);
+
 	t = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_TARG]);
 	m = xtables_find_target(t->u.user.name, XTF_TRY_LOAD);
 	if (!m) {
diff --git a/tc/m_xt_old.c b/tc/m_xt_old.c
index 25d36778..6a4509a9 100644
--- a/tc/m_xt_old.c
+++ b/tc/m_xt_old.c
@@ -354,6 +354,8 @@ print_ipt(struct action_util *au, FILE * f, struct rtattr *arg)
 {
 	struct rtattr *tb[TCA_IPT_MAX + 1];
 	struct xt_entry_target *t = NULL;
+	struct xtables_target *m;
+	__u32 hook;
 
 	if (arg == NULL)
 		return -1;
@@ -363,70 +365,66 @@ print_ipt(struct action_util *au, FILE * f, struct rtattr *arg)
 	parse_rtattr_nested(tb, TCA_IPT_MAX, arg);
 
 	if (tb[TCA_IPT_TABLE] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "[NULL ipt table name ] assuming mangle ");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing ipt table name, assuming mangle\n");
 	} else {
 		fprintf(f, "tablename: %s ",
 			rta_getattr_str(tb[TCA_IPT_TABLE]));
 	}
 
 	if (tb[TCA_IPT_HOOK] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "[NULL ipt hook name ]\n ");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing ipt hook name\n");
 		return -1;
-	} else {
-		__u32 hook;
-
-		hook = rta_getattr_u32(tb[TCA_IPT_HOOK]);
-		fprintf(f, " hook: %s\n", ipthooks[hook]);
 	}
 
 	if (tb[TCA_IPT_TARG] == NULL) {
-		fprintf(f, "\t[NULL ipt target parameters ]\n");
+		fprintf(stderr, "Missing ipt target parameters\n");
 		return -1;
-	} else {
-		struct xtables_target *m = NULL;
+	}
 
-		t = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_TARG]);
-		m = find_target(t->u.user.name, TRY_LOAD);
-		if (m != NULL) {
-			if (build_st(m, t) < 0) {
-				fprintf(stderr, " %s error\n", m->name);
-				return -1;
-			}
+	hook = rta_getattr_u32(tb[TCA_IPT_HOOK]);
+	fprintf(f, " hook: %s\n", ipthooks[hook]);
 
-			opts =
-			    merge_options(opts, m->extra_opts,
-					  &m->option_offset);
-		} else {
-			fprintf(stderr, " failed to find target %s\n\n",
-				t->u.user.name);
+	t = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_TARG]);
+	m = find_target(t->u.user.name, TRY_LOAD);
+	if (m != NULL) {
+		if (build_st(m, t) < 0) {
+			fprintf(stderr, " %s error\n", m->name);
 			return -1;
 		}
-		fprintf(f, "\ttarget ");
-		m->print(NULL, m->t, 0);
-		if (tb[TCA_IPT_INDEX] == NULL) {
-			fprintf(f, " [NULL ipt target index ]\n");
-		} else {
-			__u32 index;
-
-			index = rta_getattr_u32(tb[TCA_IPT_INDEX]);
-			fprintf(f, "\n\tindex %u", index);
-		}
-
-		if (tb[TCA_IPT_CNT]) {
-			struct tc_cnt *c  = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_CNT]);
-
-			fprintf(f, " ref %d bind %d", c->refcnt, c->bindcnt);
-		}
-		if (show_stats) {
-			if (tb[TCA_IPT_TM]) {
-				struct tcf_t *tm = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_TM]);
-
-				print_tm(f, tm);
-			}
-		}
-		fprintf(f, "\n");
 
+		opts =
+			merge_options(opts, m->extra_opts,
+				      &m->option_offset);
+	} else {
+		fprintf(stderr, " failed to find target %s\n\n",
+			t->u.user.name);
+		return -1;
 	}
+	fprintf(f, "\ttarget ");
+	m->print(NULL, m->t, 0);
+	if (tb[TCA_IPT_INDEX] == NULL) {
+		fprintf(f, " [NULL ipt target index ]\n");
+	} else {
+		__u32 index;
+
+		index = rta_getattr_u32(tb[TCA_IPT_INDEX]);
+		fprintf(f, "\n\tindex %u", index);
+	}
+
+	if (tb[TCA_IPT_CNT]) {
+		struct tc_cnt *c  = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_CNT]);
+
+		fprintf(f, " ref %d bind %d", c->refcnt, c->bindcnt);
+	}
+	if (show_stats) {
+		if (tb[TCA_IPT_TM]) {
+			struct tcf_t *tm = RTA_DATA(tb[TCA_IPT_TM]);
+
+			print_tm(f, tm);
+		}
+	}
+	fprintf(f, "\n");
+
 	free_opts(opts);
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/tc/tc_filter.c b/tc/tc_filter.c
index e5c7bc46..cd78c244 100644
--- a/tc/tc_filter.c
+++ b/tc/tc_filter.c
@@ -375,8 +375,7 @@ int print_filter(struct nlmsghdr *n, void *arg)
 			if (q)
 				q->print_fopt(q, fp, tb[TCA_OPTIONS], t->tcm_handle);
 			else
-				print_string(PRINT_FP, NULL,
-					     "[cannot parse parameters]", NULL);
+				fprintf(stderr, "cannot parse option parameters\n");
 			close_json_object();
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/tc/tc_qdisc.c b/tc/tc_qdisc.c
index e573a1df..17e39983 100644
--- a/tc/tc_qdisc.c
+++ b/tc/tc_qdisc.c
@@ -313,8 +313,7 @@ int print_qdisc(struct nlmsghdr *n, void *arg)
 		if (q)
 			q->print_qopt(q, fp, tb[TCA_OPTIONS]);
 		else
-			print_string(PRINT_FP, NULL,
-				     "[cannot parse qdisc parameters]", NULL);
+			fprintf(stderr, "Cannot parse qdisc parameters\n");
 	}
 	close_json_object();