diff --git a/bitelab/__init__.py b/bitelab/__init__.py
index bda1a4b..6e15fb5 100644
--- a/bitelab/__init__.py
+++ b/bitelab/__init__.py
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ class EtherIface(DefROAttribute):
 		ret = await sub.wait()
 
 		if ret:
-			raise RuntimeError('activate failed: %d' % ret)
+			raise RuntimeError('exit code: %d, cmd: %s' % (ret, repr(cmd)))
 
 class SerialConsole(DefROAttribute):
 	'''Specify a device to add to the board jail.  This is primarily
@@ -1923,7 +1923,8 @@ class TestAttrs(unittest.IsolatedAsyncioTestCase):
 		    stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL)
 
 		wrap_subprocess_exec(cse, retcode=1)
-		with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
+		# make sure that the necessary info is in the exception
+		with self.assertRaisesRegex(RuntimeError, 'exit code: 1.*' + eiface + '.*' + 'foo'):
 			await ei.activate(brd)
 
 	async def test_multipleattrs(self):