diff --git a/apps/emqx_authn/src/emqx_authn_app.erl b/apps/emqx_authn/src/emqx_authn_app.erl
index 6823d8694..5adf067b4 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_authn/src/emqx_authn_app.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_authn/src/emqx_authn_app.erl
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ initialize() ->
         ok -> ok
     catch
         throw:Reason ->
-            ?SLOG(error, #{msg => "Failed to initialize authentication", reason => Reason}),
+            ?SLOG(error, #{msg => "failed_to_initialize_authentication", reason => Reason}),
             {error, {failed_to_initialize_authentication, Reason}}
     end.