diff --git a/scripts/mysqld_safe.sh b/scripts/mysqld_safe.sh
index 7f18abb3dc2..7cadce725d1 100644
--- a/scripts/mysqld_safe.sh
+++ b/scripts/mysqld_safe.sh
@@ -620,6 +620,10 @@ else
   logging=syslog
 fi
 
+# close stdout and stderr, everything goes to $logging now
+exec 1>&-
+exec 2>&-
+
 USER_OPTION=""
 if test -w / -o "$USER" = "root"
 then
@@ -650,7 +654,7 @@ if [ ! -d $mysql_unix_port_dir ]
 then
   if ! `mkdir -p $mysql_unix_port_dir`
   then
-    echo "Fatal error Can't create database directory '$mysql_unix_port'"
+    log_error "Fatal error Can't create database directory '$mysql_unix_port'"
     exit 1
   fi
   chown $user $mysql_unix_port_dir
diff --git a/support-files/mysql.server.sh b/support-files/mysql.server.sh
index e5c8814f930..d4fff33af13 100644
--- a/support-files/mysql.server.sh
+++ b/support-files/mysql.server.sh
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ case "$mode" in
     then
       # Give extra arguments to mysqld with the my.cnf file. This script
       # may be overwritten at next upgrade.
-      $bindir/mysqld_safe --datadir="$datadir" --pid-file="$mysqld_pid_file_path" $other_args >/dev/null &
+      $bindir/mysqld_safe --datadir="$datadir" --pid-file="$mysqld_pid_file_path" $other_args &
       wait_for_ready; return_value=$?
 
       # Make lock for RedHat / SuSE