diff --git a/test/lib/server.c b/test/lib/server.c
index d16fa076b..b530f7d9e 100644
--- a/test/lib/server.c
+++ b/test/lib/server.c
@@ -62,7 +62,9 @@ void test_server_start(struct test_server *s, const MunitParameter params[])
 	int rv;
 
 	rv = dqlite_node_create(s->id, s->address, s->dir, &s->dqlite);
-	munit_assert_int(rv, ==, 0);
+	if (rv != 0) {
+		munit_errorf("dqlite_node_create: %s", dqlite_node_errmsg(s->dqlite));
+	}
 
 	rv = dqlite_node_set_bind_address(s->dqlite, s->address);
 	munit_assert_int(rv, ==, 0);