diff --git a/check_cert_for_service.sh b/check_cert_for_service.sh
index 2007c7e..11f9dc0 100755
--- a/check_cert_for_service.sh
+++ b/check_cert_for_service.sh
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ if $restart_service ; then
       fi
       if $_failed ; then
          echo_failed
-         error "$($log_file)"
+         error "$(cat "$log_file")"
       else
          echo_done
       fi
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ if $restart_service ; then
       fi
       if $_failed ; then
          echo_failed
-         error "$($log_file)"
+         error "$(cat "$log_file")"
       else
          echo_done
       fi