diff --git a/harbour/ChangeLog b/harbour/ChangeLog
index 4487a3523c..85dfb738b0 100644
--- a/harbour/ChangeLog
+++ b/harbour/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+19990630-19:25 EDT David G. Holm <dholm@jsd-llc.com>
+  * source/rtl/errorapi.c
+    * Changed the default severity value in hb_errNew() to
+      ES_WHOCARES as the permanent solution (matches Clipper).
+
 19990630-17:45 EDT David G. Holm <dholm@jsd-llc.com>
   * source/rtl/errorapi.c
     + Added a default severity value of ES_ERROR in hb_errNew()
diff --git a/harbour/source/rtl/errorapi.c b/harbour/source/rtl/errorapi.c
index 7ba85999e9..4b01a4004c 100644
--- a/harbour/source/rtl/errorapi.c
+++ b/harbour/source/rtl/errorapi.c
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ PHB_ITEM hb_errNew( void )
 
    ItemCopy( pReturn, &stack.Return );
 
-   hb_errPutSeverity( pReturn, ES_ERROR );
+   hb_errPutSeverity( pReturn, ES_WHOCARES );
 
    return pReturn;
 }