diff --git a/tests/gss/check-basic.in b/tests/gss/check-basic.in
index d4916bd46..e01e4d73b 100644
--- a/tests/gss/check-basic.in
+++ b/tests/gss/check-basic.in
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ echo "Doing database check"
 ${kadmin} check ${R} || exit 1
 
 echo Starting kdc
-${kdc} --testing --detach || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --testing --detach || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/gss/check-context.in b/tests/gss/check-context.in
index b2e17427e..c5a5efb57 100644
--- a/tests/gss/check-context.in
+++ b/tests/gss/check-context.in
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ ${kadmin} check ${R} || exit 1
 echo u1 > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo Starting kdc
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/gss/check-gssmask.in b/tests/gss/check-gssmask.in
index 44769eff5..941776743 100644
--- a/tests/gss/check-gssmask.in
+++ b/tests/gss/check-gssmask.in
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ echo "Doing database check"
 ${kadmin} check ${R} || exit 1
 
 echo Starting kdc
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/gss/check-ntlm.in b/tests/gss/check-ntlm.in
index f5bf3446a..d35fb3a40 100644
--- a/tests/gss/check-ntlm.in
+++ b/tests/gss/check-ntlm.in
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ echo u1 > ${objdir}/foopassword
 echo ds > ${objdir}/barpassword
 
 echo Starting kdc
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/gss/check-spnego.in b/tests/gss/check-spnego.in
index 3cf560896..b56dd2a46 100644
--- a/tests/gss/check-spnego.in
+++ b/tests/gss/check-spnego.in
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ echo u1 > ${objdir}/foopassword
 echo ds > ${objdir}/barpassword
 
 echo Starting kdc
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/java/check-kinit.in b/tests/java/check-kinit.in
index 04043ca02..820334474 100644
--- a/tests/java/check-kinit.in
+++ b/tests/java/check-kinit.in
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ ${kadmin} add -p kaka --use-defaults ${server}@${R} || exit 1
 ${kadmin} ext -k ${keytab} ${server}@${R} || exit 1
 
 echo Starting kdc
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-bx509.in b/tests/kdc/check-bx509.in
index 0a30c4de3..b50239d84 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-bx509.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-bx509.in
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ ${kadmin} add -r --use-defaults HTTP/${otherserver}@${R} || exit 1
 ${kadmin} ext_keytab -r -k $ukeytab foo@${R} || exit 1
 
 echo "Starting kdc";
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid} ${bx509pid}; echo signal killing kdc and bx509d; exit 1;" EXIT
 
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-canon.in b/tests/kdc/check-canon.in
index 0bb5a413f..18b83a9b7 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-canon.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-canon.in
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ ${kadmin} check ${R3} || exit 1
 echo foo > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo "Starting kdc" ; > messages.log
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-cc.in b/tests/kdc/check-cc.in
index ce95b3006..164e38881 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-cc.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-cc.in
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ ${kadmin} check ${R} || exit 1
 echo foo > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo Starting kdc ; > messages.log
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-delegation.in b/tests/kdc/check-delegation.in
index 865794616..fdff0f6a0 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-delegation.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-delegation.in
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ ${kadmin} check ${R4} || exit 1
 echo foo > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo Starting kdc; > messages.log
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-des.in b/tests/kdc/check-des.in
index d45b119df..144613df4 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-des.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-des.in
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ ${kadmin} check ${R} || exit 1
 echo foo > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo Starting kdc; > messages.log
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-digest.in b/tests/kdc/check-digest.in
index 1623783eb..d934f4e28 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-digest.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-digest.in
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ echo $password > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo "Starting kdc" ; > messages.log
 env ${HEIM_MALLOC_DEBUG} ${kdc} --detach --testing ||
-    { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+    { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; cat messages.log; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-fast.in b/tests/kdc/check-fast.in
index 136bf3ed6..3fbda813a 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-fast.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-fast.in
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ echo bar > ${objdir}/barpassword
 
 echo Starting kdc ; > messages.log
 env MallocStackLogging=1 MallocStackLoggingNoCompact=1 MallocErrorAbort=1 MallocLogFile=${objdir}/malloc-log \
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; cat messages.log; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-hdb-mitdb.in b/tests/kdc/check-hdb-mitdb.in
index e9de58799..a241aeb4a 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-hdb-mitdb.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-hdb-mitdb.in
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ echo foo > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo Starting kdc ; > messages.log
 env MallocStackLogging=1 MallocStackLoggingNoCompact=1 MallocErrorAbort=1 MallocLogFile=${objdir}/malloc-log \
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-httpkadmind.in b/tests/kdc/check-httpkadmind.in
index b593925a3..f57f2af85 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-httpkadmind.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-httpkadmind.in
@@ -519,7 +519,7 @@ ${hxtool} issue-certificate \
          { echo "Failed to make PKINIT client cert"; exit 1; }
 
 echo "Starting kdc needed for httpkadmind authentication to kadmind"
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 echo "Starting httpkadmind with remote HDBs only"
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-iprop.in b/tests/kdc/check-iprop.in
index 212968779..524379393 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-iprop.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-iprop.in
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ cleanup() {
 trap cleanup EXIT
 
 echo Starting kdc ; > messages.log
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 echo "starting master" ; > messages.log
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-kadmin.in b/tests/kdc/check-kadmin.in
index 3d3f41003..45d679ceb 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-kadmin.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-kadmin.in
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ ${kadmin} -l cpw --pruneall --random-key pruneall@${R} || exit 1
 echo "$foopassword" > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo Starting kdc ; > messages.log
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid} ${kadmpid}" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-kdc.in b/tests/kdc/check-kdc.in
index e346d71b5..e53293b24 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-kdc.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-kdc.in
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ echo notfoo > ${objdir}/notfoopassword
 echo Starting kdc ; > messages.log
 env MallocStackLogging=1 MallocStackLoggingNoCompact=1 MallocErrorAbort=1 MallocLogFile=${objdir}/malloc-log \
 ${kdc} --detach --testing ||
-    { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+    { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 echo Starting kpasswdd; > messages.log
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-kinit.in b/tests/kdc/check-kinit.in
index 35ec6dead..c6cb23ff6 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-kinit.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-kinit.in
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ if (($# == 0)); then
     echo foo > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
     echo Starting kdc ; > messages.log
-    ${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+    ${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
     kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
     trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-kpasswdd.in b/tests/kdc/check-kpasswdd.in
index 4f63ce240..39f12e1be 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-kpasswdd.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-kpasswdd.in
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ echo foo > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo Starting kdc ; > messages.log
 env ${HEIM_MALLOC_DEBUG} ${kdc} --detach --testing ||
-    { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+    { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 echo Starting kpasswdd
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-pkinit.in b/tests/kdc/check-pkinit.in
index baa9fb306..9f90fd040 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-pkinit.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-pkinit.in
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ echo foo > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo Starting kdc ; > messages.log
 KRB5_CONFIG="${objdir}/krb5-pkinit2.conf"
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap 'kill -9 ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; cat ca.crt kdc.crt pkinit.crt pkinit-synthetic.crt; exit 1;' EXIT
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ ${kdestroy}
 echo "Restarting kdc ($kdcpid)"
 sh ${leaks_kill} kdc $kdcpid || ec=1
 KRB5_CONFIG="${objdir}/krb5-pkinit.conf"
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 echo "Trying pk-init (principal in cert)"; > messages.log
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-referral.in b/tests/kdc/check-referral.in
index d028e39ef..73c26c368 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-referral.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-referral.in
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ ${kadmin} check ${R2} || exit 1
 echo foo > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo Starting kdc ; > messages.log
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-uu.in b/tests/kdc/check-uu.in
index 7e819a14a..ef831ca4d 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-uu.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-uu.in
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ ${kadmin} check ${R} || exit 1
 echo foo > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo Starting kdc ; > messages.log
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill -9 ${kdcpid} ${uuspid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/ldap/check-ldap.in b/tests/ldap/check-ldap.in
index b99c95103..f73eb6e1b 100644
--- a/tests/ldap/check-ldap.in
+++ b/tests/ldap/check-ldap.in
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ ${kadmin} list '*' > /dev/null || exit 1
 echo "$foopassword" > ${objdir}/foopassword
 
 echo Starting kdc
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; sh ${srcdir}/slapd-stop ; exit 1;" EXIT
diff --git a/tests/plugin/check-pac.in b/tests/plugin/check-pac.in
index 025a97454..85bf8cd9a 100644
--- a/tests/plugin/check-pac.in
+++ b/tests/plugin/check-pac.in
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ echo "Empty log"
 > messages.log
 
 echo Starting kdc
-${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; exit 1; }
+${kdc} --detach --testing || { echo "kdc failed to start"; cat messages.log; exit 1; }
 kdcpid=`getpid kdc`
 
 trap "kill ${kdcpid}; echo signal killing kdc; exit 1;" EXIT