diff --git a/clients/shared/merge.go b/clients/shared/merge.go
index ed1a7c4c..743c7e31 100644
--- a/clients/shared/merge.go
+++ b/clients/shared/merge.go
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ func Merge(ctx context.Context, dwh destination.DataWarehouse, tableData *optimi
 	}
 
 	if err = AlterTableDropColumns(ctx, dwh, tableConfig, tableID, srcKeysMissing, tableData.LatestCDCTs, tableData.ContainOtherOperations()); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to drop columns for table %q: %w", tableID.Table(), err)
 	}
 
 	// TODO: Examine whether [AuditColumnsToDelete] still needs to be called.