diff --git a/database_utils/install-db-server.sh b/database_utils/install-db-server.sh
index 24116b5..0599b57 100755
--- a/database_utils/install-db-server.sh
+++ b/database_utils/install-db-server.sh
@@ -141,9 +141,9 @@
 }
 
 function db_exists(){  # (db_name, credential_file)
-    RESULT=`mysqlshow --defaults-extra-file="$2" | grep -v Wildcard | grep -o $1` \
-        || ! echo "$RESULT" >&2 \
-        || exit 1
+    # check credentials
+    mysqlshow --defaults-extra-file="$2" >/dev/null  || exit 1
+    RESULT=`mysqlshow --defaults-extra-file="$2" | grep -v Wildcard | grep -o $1`
     if [ "$RESULT" == "$1" ]; then
         # echo " DB $1 exists"
         return 0