diff --git a/pkg/log/logger.go b/pkg/log/logger.go
index efee7ef8800d..f46eb46fc87f 100644
--- a/pkg/log/logger.go
+++ b/pkg/log/logger.go
@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@ func Errorf(format string, args ...any) { slog.Default().Error(fmt.Sprintf(forma
 
 // Fatal for logging fatal errors
 func Fatal(msg string, args ...any) {
-	slog.Default().Log(context.Background(), LevelFatal, msg, args...)
+	// Fatal errors should be logged to stderr even if the logger is disabled.
+	New(NewHandler(os.Stderr, &Options{})).Log(context.Background(), LevelFatal, msg, args...)
 	os.Exit(1)
 }