diff --git a/usr/gen_init_cpio.c b/usr/gen_init_cpio.c
index 83b3dde1a83..b2b3c2d1cf8 100644
--- a/usr/gen_init_cpio.c
+++ b/usr/gen_init_cpio.c
@@ -354,7 +354,10 @@ static int cpio_mkfile(const char *name, const char *location,
 		push_pad();
 
 		if (size) {
-			fwrite(filebuf, size, 1, stdout);
+			if (fwrite(filebuf, size, 1, stdout) != 1) {
+				fprintf(stderr, "writing filebuf failed\n");
+				goto error;
+			}
 			offset += size;
 			push_pad();
 		}