diff --git a/src/sink.c b/src/sink.c
index ec0eb9d46..5e47b9730 100644
--- a/src/sink.c
+++ b/src/sink.c
@@ -1424,7 +1424,7 @@ int sink_resolve_logger_buffer(struct logger *logger, char **msg)
 static void sink_init()
 {
 	sink_new_fd("stdout", "standard output (fd#1)", LOG_FORMAT_RAW, 1);
-	sink_new_fd("stderr", "standard output (fd#2)", LOG_FORMAT_RAW, 2);
+	sink_new_fd("stderr", "standard output (fd#2)",LOG_FORMAT_TIMED, 2);
 	sink_new_buf("buf0",  "in-memory ring buffer", LOG_FORMAT_TIMED, 1048576);
 	sink_new_buf("dpapi",  "DPAPI ring buffer", LOG_FORMAT_TIMED, 1048576);
 }