diff --git a/cmd/khepri/cmd_cat.go b/cmd/khepri/cmd_cat.go
index 1709be102..9a4c27291 100644
--- a/cmd/khepri/cmd_cat.go
+++ b/cmd/khepri/cmd_cat.go
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ func commandCat(be backend.Server, key *khepri.Key, args []string) error {
 			return err
 		}
 
-		_, err = os.Stdout.Write(data)
+		_, err = os.Stdout.Write(buf)
 		return err
 
 	case "tree":