diff --git a/webrtc/tools/barcode_tools/barcode_decoder.py b/webrtc/tools/barcode_tools/barcode_decoder.py
index f74fe7e302..0bf8b5b41d 100755
--- a/webrtc/tools/barcode_tools/barcode_decoder.py
+++ b/webrtc/tools/barcode_tools/barcode_decoder.py
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ import sys
 import helper_functions
 
 
+# Chrome browsertests will throw away stderr; avoid that output gets lost.
+sys.stderr = sys.stdout
+
+
 def convert_yuv_to_png_files(yuv_file_name, yuv_frame_width, yuv_frame_height,
                              output_directory, ffmpeg_dir=None):
   """Converts a YUV video file into PNG frames.
@@ -47,8 +51,10 @@ def convert_yuv_to_png_files(yuv_file_name, yuv_frame_width, yuv_frame_height,
     helper_functions.run_shell_command(
         command, fail_msg='Error during YUV to PNG conversion')
   except helper_functions.HelperError, err:
-    print >> sys.stderr, 'Error executing command: %s. Error: %s' % (command,
-                                                                     err)
+    print 'Error executing command: %s. Error: %s' % (command, err)
+    return False
+  except OSError:
+    print ('Did not find %s. Have you installed it?' % ffmpeg_executable)
     return False
   return True
 
@@ -101,8 +107,11 @@ def _decode_barcode_in_file(file_name, command_line_decoder):
     text_file.write(out)
     text_file.close()
   except helper_functions.HelperError, err:
-    print >> sys.stderr, 'Barcode in %s cannot be decoded.' % file_name
-    print >> sys.stderr, err
+    print 'Barcode in %s cannot be decoded.' % file_name
+    print err
+    return False
+  except OSError:
+    print ('Did not find %s. Have you installed it?' % command_line_decoder)
     return False
   return True
 
@@ -263,14 +272,13 @@ def _main():
                                   options.yuv_frame_height,
                                   output_directory=options.png_working_dir,
                                   ffmpeg_dir=options.ffmpeg_dir):
-    print >> sys.stderr, 'An error occurred converting from YUV to PNG frames.'
+    print 'An error occurred converting from YUV to PNG frames.'
     return -1
 
   # Decode the barcodes from the PNG frames.
   if not decode_frames(input_directory=options.png_working_dir,
                        zxing_dir=options.zxing_dir):
-    print >> sys.stderr, ('An error occurred decoding barcodes from PNG frames.'
-                          ' Have you built the zxing C++ executable?')
+    print 'An error occurred decoding barcodes from PNG frames.'
     return -2
 
   # Generate statistics file.
diff --git a/webrtc/tools/compare_videos.py b/webrtc/tools/compare_videos.py
index 5308b62917..0e0a4f6592 100755
--- a/webrtc/tools/compare_videos.py
+++ b/webrtc/tools/compare_videos.py
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@ import sys
 
 SCRIPT_DIR = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
 
+# Chrome browsertests will throw away stderr; avoid that output gets lost.
+sys.stderr = sys.stdout
+
 
 def _ParseArgs():
   """Registers the command-line options."""
@@ -85,7 +88,7 @@ def main():
   barcode_decoder = subprocess.Popen(cmd, stdout=sys.stdout, stderr=sys.stderr)
   barcode_decoder.wait()
   if barcode_decoder.returncode != 0:
-    print >> sys.stderr, 'Failed to run barcode decoder script.'
+    print 'Failed to run barcode decoder script.'
     return 1
 
   # Run frame analyzer to compare the videos and print output.
@@ -100,7 +103,7 @@ def main():
   frame_analyzer = subprocess.Popen(cmd, stdout=sys.stdout, stderr=sys.stderr)
   frame_analyzer.wait()
   if frame_analyzer.returncode != 0:
-    print >> sys.stderr, 'Failed to run frame analyzer.'
+    print 'Failed to run frame analyzer.'
     return 1
 
   return 0