diff --git a/backend/scripts/p2-acceptance.mjs b/backend/scripts/p2-acceptance.mjs
index 39085dbf..ad4ba5c6 100644
--- a/backend/scripts/p2-acceptance.mjs
+++ b/backend/scripts/p2-acceptance.mjs
@@ -1015,8 +1015,9 @@ async function executeChecksLocal({ checks, failAt } = {}) {
         const output = await scenario.run();
         if (scenario.id === failAt) throw new Error("injected acceptance failure");
         result = { id: scenario.id, status: "PASS", startedAt, finishedAt: nowIso(), commands: output.commands ?? [], artifacts: output.artifacts ?? [] };
-      } catch {
-        result = { id: scenario.id, status: "FAIL", startedAt, finishedAt: nowIso(), commands: [], artifacts: [], error: "Acceptance scenario failed safely." };
+      } catch (error) {
+        const detail = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
+        result = { id: scenario.id, status: "FAIL", startedAt, finishedAt: nowIso(), commands: [], artifacts: [], error: `Acceptance scenario failed safely: ${detail}` };
         stopped = true;
       }
     }