diff --git a/modules/errors.py b/modules/errors.py
index fa543f7..48e8b70 100644
--- a/modules/errors.py
+++ b/modules/errors.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 #
 
 class Error(Exception):
-    def __init__(self, message=None, stdout=None, stderr=None):
+    def __init__(self, message=None, stdout="", stderr=""):
         self.message = message
         self.stdout = stdout
         self.stderr = stderr
diff --git a/modules/utils/devtool.py b/modules/utils/devtool.py
index e4e028f..c26061f 100644
--- a/modules/utils/devtool.py
+++ b/modules/utils/devtool.py
@@ -19,10 +19,7 @@ class Devtool(object):
             raise DevtoolError("The following devtool command failed: " + operation,
                         e.stdout, e.stderr)
 
-        if stderr is None:
-            return stdout
-        else:
-            return stdout + stderr
+        return stdout + stderr
 
     def upgrade(self, recipe, version = None, revision = None):
         cmd = " upgrade " + recipe