diff --git a/src/util/fairland.c b/src/util/fairland.c
index fcaf94f7..069796e7 100644
--- a/src/util/fairland.c
+++ b/src/util/fairland.c
@@ -260,10 +260,8 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	fprintf(stderr, "Can't chdir to %s (%s)\n", gamedir, strerror(errno));
 	exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
     }
-    if (!ef_open(EF_SECTOR, EFF_MEM | EFF_NOTIME)) {
-	perror("ef_open");
+    if (!ef_open(EF_SECTOR, EFF_MEM | EFF_NOTIME))
 	exit(1);
-    }
     write_sects();
     qprint("writing to sectors file...\n");
     if (!ef_close(EF_SECTOR))
diff --git a/src/util/files.c b/src/util/files.c
index 10bf5d2f..c76d6d4f 100644
--- a/src/util/files.c
+++ b/src/util/files.c
@@ -130,10 +130,8 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
     for (i = 0; i < EF_MAX; i++) {
 	if (!EF_IS_GAME_STATE(i))
 	    continue;
-	if (!ef_open(i, EFF_CREATE | EFF_NOTIME)) {
-	    perror("ef_open");
+	if (!ef_open(i, EFF_CREATE | EFF_NOTIME))
 	    exit(1);
-	}
     }
 
     ef_read(EF_NATION, 0, &nat);