diff --git a/test/cni/Makefile b/test/cni/Makefile
index 6ae0c7f..ae1ab47 100644
--- a/test/cni/Makefile
+++ b/test/cni/Makefile
@@ -111,7 +111,9 @@ _check_perf: _wait_up _wait_running
 	           while [[ "$$(minikube kubectl -- logs $$POD | grep 'Up and running...')" == ""  ]]; do sleep 1; done; \
 	         done;
 	$(QUIET) echo "Launching iperf tests..."
+	set -o pipefail
 	NETNS=client ./perf/check_perf.sh 2>&1 | tee .last_perf_report.txt
+	if [[ $${PIPESTATUS[0]} -ne 0 ]]; then echo "check_perf failed! $${PIPESTATUS[0]}"; exit 1; fi
 	$(QUIET) echo "Unloading NDEBUG sfunnel in NS..."
 	$(QUIET) $(MAKE) _unload
 	$(QUIET) echo "Loading DEBUG sfunnel in NS..."