diff --git a/vlib/v/checker/checker.v b/vlib/v/checker/checker.v
index 6a627b336a..86a2eee25e 100644
--- a/vlib/v/checker/checker.v
+++ b/vlib/v/checker/checker.v
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ pub fn (mut c Checker) struct_init(mut struct_init ast.StructInit) table.Type {
 	}
 	type_sym := c.table.get_type_symbol(struct_init.typ)
 	if !type_sym.is_public && type_sym.kind != .placeholder && type_sym.mod != c.mod {
-		c.warn('type `$type_sym.name` is private', struct_init.pos)
+		c.error('type `$type_sym.name` is private', struct_init.pos)
 	}
 	// println('check struct $typ_sym.name')
 	match type_sym.kind {