diff --git a/mk2rbc/variable.go b/mk2rbc/variable.go
index ded07fe..6b67a7c 100644
--- a/mk2rbc/variable.go
+++ b/mk2rbc/variable.go
@@ -228,10 +228,9 @@
 			if actualValue == expectedValue {
 				return
 			}
-			gctx.writef("# MK2RBC TRANSLATION ERROR: cannot set predefined variable %s to %q, its value should be %q",
-				pv.name(), actualValue, expectedValue)
-			gctx.newLine()
-			gctx.write("pass")
+			gctx.emitConversionError(asgn.location,
+				fmt.Sprintf("cannot set predefined variable %s to %q, its value should be %q",
+					pv.name(), actualValue, expectedValue))
 			gctx.starScript.hasErrors = true
 			return
 		}