diff --git a/IPython/kernel/scripts/ipengine.py b/IPython/kernel/scripts/ipengine.py
index 97fd2ca..8d9d1b2 100644
--- a/IPython/kernel/scripts/ipengine.py
+++ b/IPython/kernel/scripts/ipengine.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def start_engine():
         try:
             engine_service.execute(shell_import_statement)
         except:
-            log.msg("Error running import_statement: %s" % sis)
+            log.msg("Error running import_statement: %s" % shell_import_statement)
     
     # Create the service hierarchy
     main_service = service.MultiService()
@@ -169,4 +169,4 @@ def main():
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    main()
\ No newline at end of file
+    main()