diff --git a/pkg/envtest/server.go b/pkg/envtest/server.go
index 30cc18a233..0d48467987 100644
--- a/pkg/envtest/server.go
+++ b/pkg/envtest/server.go
@@ -172,15 +172,16 @@ func (te *Environment) Start() (*rest.Config, error) {
 
 func (te *Environment) startControlPlane() error {
 	numTries, maxRetries := 0, 5
+	var err error
 	for ; numTries < maxRetries; numTries++ {
 		// Start the control plane - retry if it fails
-		err := te.ControlPlane.Start()
+		err = te.ControlPlane.Start()
 		if err == nil {
 			break
 		}
 	}
 	if numTries == maxRetries {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to start the controlplane. retried %d times", numTries)
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to start the controlplane. retried %d times: %s", numTries, err.Error())
 	}
 	return nil
 }