diff --git a/src/systemctl/systemctl-show.c b/src/systemctl/systemctl-show.c
index 470ff617d60..1f524626bfb 100644
--- a/src/systemctl/systemctl-show.c
+++ b/src/systemctl/systemctl-show.c
@@ -1915,7 +1915,7 @@ static int show_one(
                 return log_error_errno(r, "Failed to get properties: %s", bus_error_message(&error, r));
 
         if (unit && streq_ptr(info.load_state, "not-found") && streq_ptr(info.active_state, "inactive")) {
-                log_full(show_mode == SYSTEMCTL_SHOW_STATUS ? LOG_ERR : LOG_DEBUG,
+                log_full(show_mode == SYSTEMCTL_SHOW_PROPERTIES ? LOG_DEBUG : LOG_ERR,
                          "Unit %s could not be found.", unit);
 
                 if (show_mode == SYSTEMCTL_SHOW_STATUS)