diff --git a/scripts/install-apply.js b/scripts/install-apply.js
index e83ac79c..cd499b6d 100644
--- a/scripts/install-apply.js
+++ b/scripts/install-apply.js
@@ -17,10 +17,10 @@ const {
   parseInstallArgs,
 } = require('./lib/install/request');
 
-function showHelp(exitCode = 0) {
+function getHelpText() {
   const languages = listLegacyCompatibilityLanguages();
 
-  console.log(`
+  return `
 Usage: install.sh [--target <${LEGACY_INSTALL_TARGETS.join('|')}>] [--dry-run] [--json] <language> [<language> ...]
        install.sh [--target <${SUPPORTED_INSTALL_TARGETS.join('|')}>] [--dry-run] [--json] --profile <name> [--with <component>]... [--without <component>]...
        install.sh [--target <${SUPPORTED_INSTALL_TARGETS.join('|')}>] [--dry-run] [--json] --modules <id,id,...> [--with <component>]... [--without <component>]...
@@ -44,8 +44,11 @@ Options:
 
 Available languages:
 ${languages.map(language => `  - ${language}`).join('\n')}
-`);
+`;
+}
 
+function showHelp(exitCode = 0) {
+  console.log(getHelpText());
   process.exit(exitCode);
 }
 
@@ -139,8 +142,8 @@ function main() {
       printHumanPlan(result, false);
     }
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error(`Error: ${error.message}\n`);
-    showHelp(1);
+    process.stderr.write(`Error: ${error.message}\n\n${getHelpText()}`);
+    process.exit(1);
   }
 }