diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/iotests.py b/tests/qemu-iotests/iotests.py
index 075f4739da..6a248472b9 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/iotests.py
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/iotests.py
@@ -731,8 +731,8 @@ class QMPTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
             self.fail('no match for "%s" in %s' % (str(result), str(value)))
         else:
             self.assertEqual(result, value,
-                             'values not equal "%s" and "%s"'
-                                 % (str(result), str(value)))
+                             '"%s" is "%s", expected "%s"'
+                                 % (path, str(result), str(value)))
 
     def assert_no_active_block_jobs(self):
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')