diff --git a/tests/libtest.sh b/tests/libtest.sh
index eda3b921..2e9a99df 100755
--- a/tests/libtest.sh
+++ b/tests/libtest.sh
@@ -46,6 +46,14 @@ run_exit_cmds() {
 }
 trap run_exit_cmds EXIT
 
+report_err () {
+  local exit_status="$?"
+  { { local BASH_XTRACEFD=3; } 2> /dev/null
+  echo "Unexpected nonzero exit status $exit_status while running: $BASH_COMMAND" >&2
+  } 3> /dev/null
+}
+trap report_err ERR
+
 save_core() {
   if [ -e core ]; then
     cp core "$test_srcdir/core"