diff --git a/src/lxc/criu.c b/src/lxc/criu.c
index 1913473e8..5fbe7cbad 100644
--- a/src/lxc/criu.c
+++ b/src/lxc/criu.c
@@ -239,6 +239,7 @@ static bool criu_version_ok()
 		close(pipes[1]);
 		if (wait_for_pid(pid) < 0) {
 			close(pipes[0]);
+			SYSERROR("execing criu failed, is it installed?");
 			return false;
 		}